1975 in Australia

none December 2020 February 2012 Elizabeth II Sir John Kerr Gough Whitlam, then Malcolm Fraser 13,722,571 John Cornforth and Alan Stretton SA, Federal The following lists events that happened during 1975 in Australia. 1975 Incumbents thumb|upright|140px|Sir John Kerr horizontal right center 280 Gough Whitlam headshot.jpg Gough Whitlam Fraser Malcolm BANNER.jpg Malcolm Fraser Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir John Kerr Prime Minister – Gough Whitlam (until 11 November), then Malcolm Fraser Deputy Prime Minister – Jim Cairns (until 2 July), then Frank Crean (until 11 November), then Doug Anthony Opposition Leader – Billy Snedden (until 21 March), then Malcolm Fraser (until 11 November), then Gough Whitlam Chief Justice – Sir Garfield Barwick State and territory leaders Premier of New South Wales – Sir Robert Askin (until 3 January), then Tom Lewis Opposition Leader – Neville Wran Premier of Queensland – Joh Bjelke-Petersen Opposition Leader – Tom Burns Premier of South Australia – Don Dunstan Opposition Leader – Bruce Eastick (until 24 July), then David Tonkin Premier of Tasmania – Eric Reece (until 31 March), then Bill Neilson Opposition Leader – Max Bingham Premier of Victoria – Rupert Hamer Opposition Leader – Clyde Holding Premier of Western Australia – Sir Charles Court Opposition Leader – John Tonkin Majority Leader of the Northern Territory – Goff Letts Governors and administrators Governor of New South Wales – Sir Roden Cutler Governor of Queensland – Sir Colin Hannah Governor of South Australia – Sir Mark Oliphant Governor of Tasmania – Sir Stanley Burbury Governor of Victoria – Sir Henry Winneke Governor of Western Australia – Sir Hughie Edwards (until 2 April), then Sir Wallace Kyle (from 24 November) Administrator of Norfolk Island – Edward Pickerd (until 31 August), then Charles Buffett Administrator of the Northern Territory – Jock Nelson (until 12 November) High Commissioner of Papua New Guinea – Tom Critchley (until 16 September) Events January 1–31 January – Bushfires burn in various parts of New South Wales and Victoria.1 January 1975 Soldiers flown to bushfire in west https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-soldiers-flown/158761027/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 10 November 20242 January 1975 120 battle bushfire near Benalla https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-120-battle-bushfire-near-benalla/158761056/ The Age 3 10 November 20244 January 1975 Bushfires sweep towards Victorian border https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bushfires-sweep-towards-victoria/158761105/ The Age 3 10 November 20246 January 1975 South-west cornered by bushfires https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-south-west-cor/158761126/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 10 November 20248 January 1975 300 fight fires fanned by strong winds https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-300-fight-fire/158761139/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 10 November 20249 January 1975 Fire chief dies while fighting blaze https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-fire-chief-dies-while-fighting-b/158761159/ The Age 3 10 November 202411 January 1975 Two states battle border blaze https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-two-states-battle-border-blaze/158761186/ The Age 3 10 November 2024Cameron Bob Scott Phil 26 January 1975 Havoc on Black Saturday: Fires, gales hit Sydney https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-havoc-on-black/158111214/ The Sun-Herald 1–3 10 November 2024 1 January – In the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, Northern Territory administrator Jock Nelson criticises Major General Alan Stretton's plan to recommend that emergency directors be given absolute authority in areas affected by disasters.2 January 1975 Absolute powers urged in disasters https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-absolute-power/153507083/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-absolute-power/153507083/ live Nelsen is supported by NT police commissioner William McLaren and Darwin mayor Harold Brennan. Davis Hughes, Kenneth McCaw, William Tyree, Oliver Gillard, William Shearer, William Philip, Thomas Webb, Theodor Bray, James Foots, Douglas Tooth and John Parker are awarded the title of knight bachelor in the 1975 New Year Honours.2 January 1975 Australia has 11 new knights https://www.newspapers.com/article/papua-new-guinea-post-courier-australia/153512807/ Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 8 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025354/https://www.newspapers.com/article/papua-new-guinea-post-courier-australia/153512807/ live 2 January – As Darwin begins to be rebuilt following Cyclone Tracy, Anglican bishop Ian Shevill writes an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald in which he questions the viability of rebuilding the city in an area that is likely to experience future natural disasters.Shevill Ian 2 January 1975 Do we need a Darwin? Pondering the neat and nice solution https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-do-we-need-a-d/153507337/ The Sydney Morning Herald 6 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025522/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-do-we-need-a-d/153507337/ live 3 January – New South Wales premier Sir Robert Askin retires from politics and is succeeded by Tom Lewis.3 January 1975 Askin's reign ends today https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-askins-reign/153507682/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025522/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-askins-reign/153507682/ liveO'Hara John 4 January 1975 Lewis launches new style of government https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lewis-launches/153508330/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025356/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lewis-launches/153508330/ live 5 January – The Tasman Bridge disaster occurs in Hobart when the Tasman Bridge is struck by the ore carrier MV Lake Illawarra.6 January 1975 Ship smashes bridge - Cars plunge into river, 10,000-ton carrier sinks in minutes https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ship-smashes-bridge-cars-plunge/153505205/ The Age 1–2 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025357/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ship-smashes-bridge-cars-plunge/153505205/ live The bridge partially collapses onto the vessel, which sinks.Smith Michael Clarke Kevin 7 January 1975 Tombstone pylons guard the mystery of the Illawarra https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-tombstone-pylons-guard-the-myste/153505900/ The Age 1 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-tombstone-pylons-guard-the-myste/153505900/ live Seven crew and five motorists are killed.8 January 1975 Bridge disaster toll rises to 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bridge-disaster-toll-rises-to-12/153506187/ The Age 1 18 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025528/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bridge-disaster-toll-rises-to-12/153506187/ live 6 January – Prime Minister Gough Whitlam meets with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac in Paris, but confirms Australia would offer no apologies for its opposition to the 1971–74 French nuclear tests in the Pacific.Frykberg Ian 8 January 1975 PM has discussions with French leaders: No apology over A-test dispute, says Whitlam https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-has-discuss/158758428/ The Sydney Morning Herald 9 10 November 2024 7 January – An Executive Council Minute authorising the raising of a "temporary loan" of US$4,000 million for 20 years is reversed before it becomes public knowledge. The move to bypass the Loans Council – to become known as the "Loans Affair" – had been initiated a month earlier by several labor ministers without consulting cabinet. 8–29 January – New South Wales experiences a three-week period of unreliable electricity supply after "militant" unionists impose bans on Electricity Commission employees maintaining power stations across the state during an ongoing pay dispute.9 January 1975 NSW faces threat of blackouts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nsw-faces-thre/153506732/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 202410 January 1975 Most homes in NSW hit by blackouts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-most-homes-in/153508603/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 202413 January 1975 Power cuts: fate rests on union-Govt talks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-power-cuts-fa/155584165/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 202417 January 1975 Power crisis worsens https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-power-crisis-w/155584214/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 2024Wells Fred 23 January 1975 Power workers refuse to end repair bans https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-power-workers/155584475/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 2024Wells Fred 24 January 1975 Lift bans, power men told https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lift-bans-pow/155584489/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 2024 The New South Wales government are forced to implement measures such as industrial zoning, a three-day week and a ban on electricity for non-essential industry in Sydney.18 January 1975 Three-day week looms as power output slides https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-three-day-week/155584238/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 202421 January 1975 Black day for Sydney: 400,000 to take pay cut https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-black-day-for/155584289/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 2024 The crisis is finally resolved at a stopwork meeting held at the Gosford Showground on 29 January.Wells Fred 30 January 1975 Power men end bans https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-power-men-end/155584513/ The Sydney Morning Herald 19 September 2024 13 January – Music conductor Sir Bernard Heinze is announced as 1974's Australian of the Year.14 January 1975 Sir Bernard Heinze is Australian of the Year https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sir-bernard-he/155071331/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sir-bernard-he/155071331/ live 14 January – A major fire occurs in the Sydney CBD.15 January 1975 Thousands flee city centre store blaze https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-thousands-flee/155123162/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1, 3 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025913/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-thousands-flee/155123162/ live For over five hours, fire brigades battle to control the blaze at Cost Less Imports in the four-storey Angus & Robertson building at 89 Castleagh Street. Thousands of people are evacuated and nearby shops are closed as the fire engulfs the building. Approximately 20 fire fighters are treated by ambulance officers after being overcome by smoke. 19 January – Sydney's 2JJ, the ABC's new youth station and the predecessor of Triple J, commences broadcasting.Plummer Dale 19 January 1975 Banned record debut https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-banned-record/153510228/ The Sydney Morning Herald 77 26 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025914/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-banned-record/153510228/ live20 January 1975 FM goes into stereo as 2JJ rocks along https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fm-goes-into-s/153509800/ The Sydney Morning Herald 10 26 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025914/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fm-goes-into-s/153509800/ live 20 January – A four-year-old boy is killed when he is hit by a motorcycle after a member of the Astro Daredevil team performs a stunt in the grounds of a hotel on the Gold Coast.21 January 1975 Stunt motorcycle kills boy https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-stunt-motorcyc/155584307/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 September 2024 The rider is ultimately acquitted of a charge of unlawfully killing the boy when a criminal court jury is directed in September 1976 to find him not guilty due to insufficient evidence.25 September 1976 Stunt rider cleared on boy's death https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-stunt-rider-cl/155584380/ The Sydney Morning Herald 19 September 2024 26 January – The Workers Party is launched at a banquet at the Sydney Opera House where Lang Hancock is the guest of honour.27 January 1975 Govt 'villain' in eyes of new party https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-govt-villain/153953706/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025915/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-govt-villain/153953706/ live The party is libertarian in principle, demanding less government intervention, as well as being virulently anti-Socialist. The name is subsequently changed to the Progress Party in 1977. February 1 February – Having commenced broadcasting in December 1974, Australia's first FM radio station 2MBS is officially launched in Sydney by prime minister Gough Whitlam and premier Tom Lewis.2 February 1975 FM radio expands https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fm-radio-expan/153509960/ The Sydney Morning Herald 21 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020740/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fm-radio-expan/153509960/ live 3 February – Two RAAF jets on a training flight off the New South Wales North Coast receive a distress signal, which lead them to two sailors stranded in a liferaft who had survived the sinking of their eight-metre sloop the night before.4 February 1975 Jets find two men adrift https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-jets-find-two/155829010/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 23 September 2024 The sailors are eventually retrieved by a 15,000-tonne tanker that was located approximately 20 kilometres away. Eleven 12-year-old students and their 22-year-old teacher were injured when a gas line explodes in a science laboratory at Busby High School in the Sydney suburb of Green Valley.4 February 1975 12 injured in school gas blast https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-12-injured-in/155828986/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 23 September 2024 7 February – An 11-year-old boy dies after being attacked by a shark at Point Sinclair in South Australia.Dunlevy Maurice 9 February 1975 Shark kills boy, 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-shark-kills-bo/155836158/ The Sun-Herald 1–2 23 September 2024 During a statewide 24-hour strike by the Queensland Municipal Officers Association, Toowoomba City Council mayor Nell Robinson famously sits at a small table in the foyer of City Hall and handles all administrative duties, including the collection of fines and rates.8 February 1975 Carry on Alderman Robinson https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-carry-on-alder/155830454/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 23 September 2024 8 February – Off duty police officers are stationed at the home of Lang Hancock in the Perth suburb of Dalkeith with strict security checks being performed as he holds a 21st birthday party for his daughter Gina.9 February 1975 Police keep tight guard at party for heiress https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-police-keep-ti/155836266/ The Sun-Herald 4 23 September 2024 9 February – Lionel Murphy resigns to become a High Court judge (a move for which Garfield Barwick's appointment had set a precedent).Frykberg Ian 10 February 1975 Murphy for High Court: Sudden resignation from Senate; minor Cabinet reshuffle likely https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-murphy-for-hig/153954049/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020741/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-murphy-for-hig/153954049/ live 11 February – New South Wales Premier Tom Lewis decides to replace Lionel Murphy in the Senate with a non-Labor nominee.O'Hara John 27 February 2024 Labor may test poll for Senate https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-labor-may-test/153954114/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 August 2024 Cabinet unanimously endorses his decision with Albury's 77-year-old mayor, Cleaver Bunton selected, thus reducing Labor to 28 in the Senate.28 February 1975 NSW gets senator in 1½ hours of turmoil https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nsw-gets-senat/153954169/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1–2 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nsw-gets-senat/153954169/ live The move is seen as breaking constitutional convention and was against the advice of senior Liberals and most Premiers. 13 February – The federal minister for the Northern Territory Rex Patterson announces that the Darwin Relief Fund has approved immediate payments of $10,000 for the widows of Cyclone Tracy, while each child under 16 will receive $1000.14 February 1975 Darwin widows to get $10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-darwin-widows/155902073/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 September 2024 Payments of $5,000 had also been approved to families where the wife had been killed in the cyclone and an additional $2,500 approved for each child killed. 24 February – On the final day of the three-day state Labor conference in Launceston, Tasmanian premier Eric Reece announces his resignation.25 February 1975 Reece changes his mind and stays https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-reece-changes/156983665/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 October 2024 The announcement came after a vote in which Labor ruled that people aged 65 or over could not be endorsed as an ALP candidate at the next state election, likely voiding Reece's eligibility. However, four hours later Reece announces he has changed his mind after delegates unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Reece and ask him to stay until the end of his term. 27 February – Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's failure to support Speaker Jim Cope in a ruling involving Clyde Cameron led to the Speaker's resignation and his replacement by Gordon Scholes.Bowers Peter 28 February 1975 Cope: debacle for Labor https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-cope-debacle/153954249/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1–2 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020743/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-cope-debacle/153954249/ live Cope had been having difficulty with the Opposition's increasing larrikinism.January 2025 March 12 March – Chargé d'affaires Graeme Lewis is killed when the Air Vietnam Douglas C-54 he was a passenger on crashed during a flight between Vientiane and Saigon, killing all on board.14 March 1975 Australian envoy lost in warzone https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-env/156973711/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 October 202421 March 1975 Memorial service https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-memorial-servi/156981594/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 12 October 2024 13 March – Four American businessmen and their Australian pilot are killed instantly when the Cessna 310 they were onboard crashed on Fitzroy Station in the Northern Territory, between Katherine and Kununurra.14 March 1975 5 die in light plane crash https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-5-die-in-light/156973671/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 October 202415 March 1975 Bodies of air crash victims recovered https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bodies-of-air-crash-victims-reco/156981712/ The Age 11 12 October 2024 All four businessmen were representatives of subsidiaries of the Standard Oil Company. 14 March – ABC Radio producer Peter Whitlock who had been working in Thailand becomes trapped in the South Vietnamese city of Buôn Ma Thuột when it comes under heavy attack from communist forces.15 March 1975 Siege traps Australian https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-siege-traps-au/156973480/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 13 October 2024 16 March – A young child is stabbed twice in the back by a man as she played in a park in the Sydney suburb of Newtown.17 March 1975 Girl, 6, stabbed by man in Newtown park https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-girl-6-stabb/156974146/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 October 202419 March 1975 Stabbing: police hunt Yugoslav https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-stabbing-poli/156974350/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 October 2024 She is taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition. 18 March – The Victorian Government appoints the Beach Board of Inquiry to report on allegations of misconduct against the police force.19 March 1975 Inquiry into police to begin next Wednesday https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-inquiry-into-police-to-begin-nex/153954541/ The Age 1 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020820/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-inquiry-into-police-to-begin-nex/153954541/ live Tasmanian premier Eric Reece again announces his resignation.19 March 1975 Reece resigns - and this time it's definite https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-reece-resigns-and-this-time-it/156983590/ The Age 3 12 October 2024 The announcement comes after Reece initially announced his resignation at the state Labor conference in Launceston in February before changing his mind four hours later. Reece now confirms he will leave the role at the end of March to be succeeded by Bill Neilson. It's reported 47 women are to lose their jobs at Thomas Nationwide Transport as the company plans to outsource its computer work to Singapore.18 March 1975 47 women lose jobs: work goes to Singapore https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-47-women-lose/156974995/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 October 2024 Chairman of TNT Sir Peter Abeles defends the move and claims the company had attempted to find new jobs for the women but none of them had accepted any new positions. The Department of Foreign Affairs asks the ambassador of Australia to North Vietnam David Wilson to make official enquires about missing ABC Radio producer Peter Whitlock who is believed to be under house arrest in Buôn Ma Thuột in South Vietnam, which was overrun by Viet Cong troops earlier in the month.19 March 1975 ABC man held in South Vietnam https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-abc-man-held-i/157036720/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 13 October 2024 Federal transport minister Charles Jones confirms Concorde will be allowed into Australia for at least three proving flights in either July or August.19 March 1975 Concorde to have flights over Australia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-concorde-to-ha/156975489/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 12 October 2024 19 March – 20-year-old bank teller William Rice is shot dead during an armed robbery at an ANZ Bank branch in the Sydney suburb of Bondi.20 March 1975 Young teller shot dead at bank: man charged https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-young-teller-s/156976112/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 October 2024 In April 1977, Gary Findlay pleads guilty to murdering Rice and to also having wounded 72-year-old Thomas Edward Douglas Watson with intent to murder two days earlier.27 April 1977 Parole murderer gets life - twice https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-parole-murdere/156977458/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 12 October 2024 Findlay is sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment. Findlay was on parole when the offences were committed, having been sentenced in 1970 to 10 years in jail on each of three counts of armed robbery but was released on parole in November 1973. 20 March – Deputy prime minister Jim Cairns, Minister for Agriculture Ken Wriedt and Iranian government ministers jointly announce that Australia and Iran had negotiated to strengthen economic ties, with Australia agreeing to sell uranium to Iran "under favourable conditions" while Iran agrees to joint ventures in mining and agriculture21 March 1975 Iran to get Australian uranium https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-iran-to-get-au/156976709/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 October 2024 Charmain Brent confirms she is filing for divorce from her husband Ronald Biggs.21 March 1975 Biggs divorce move https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-biggs-divorce/156976998/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 13 October 2024 Brent has remained in Australia with their two sons while Biggs is now living in Brazil with his girlfriend and their seven-month-old son. 21 March – The 1975 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill occurs which sees Malcolm Fraser replace Billy Snedden as the leader of the Liberal Party, winning the party room ballot 37:27.Bowers Peter 22 March 1975 Fraser ends election talk https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fraser-ends-el/153954568/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020745/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fraser-ends-el/153954568/ live Phillip Lynch retains the deputy leadership. 22 March – Husband and wife Noel and Sophia Weckert are both murdered between Mackay and Rockhampton while travelling Queensland's Bruce Highway en route from Townsville to Emu Park.25 March 1975 Murder hunt: fear for wife https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-murder-hunt-fear-for-wife/156980849/ The Age 1, 3 12 October 2024 ...was travelling with his wife from Townsville to Emu Park near Rockhampton to attend a skydiving rally In March 1976, Raymond John Wylie is found guilty of Noel Weckert's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment while Maxwell John Harper and Janice Christine Anne Payne are found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years hard labour.13 March 1976 Man gets life sentence for Weckert murder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-gets-life/115878833/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 12 October 2024 In February 1977, Wylie and Harper are both found guilty of Sophia Weckert's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment while Payne is sentenced to 10 years jail for manslaughter.24 February 1977 2 jailed on murder charge https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-2-jailed-on-mu/115879293/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 12 October 2024 26 March – 47-year-old Reginald Edward Issacs is found guilty of abducting, sexually assaulting and murdering 9-year-old Gregory Paul Cowie in the Wombat State Forest on 13 September 1974.27 March 1975 Man guilty of boy's murder, jury finds https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-man-guilty-of-boys-murder-jury/157039475/ The Age 3 14 October 2024 Justice Gowans sentences pronounces the statuary death sentence.27 March 1975 Sentence of death https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sentence-of-de/157039459/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 14 October 2024Withington David 27 March 1975 System failed, and a child was murdered https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-system-failed-and-a-child-was-m/157039520/ The Age 9 14 October 2024 30 March – Two men, aged 21 and 18, are killed when they are struck by lightning on a property near Ilford, New South Wales during a rabbit shooting trip.1 April 1975 Lightning kills two shooters https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lightning-kill/157102541/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 14 October 2024 A 17-year-old boy was seriously injured in the strike and was taken to hospital in Mudgee.2 April 1975 Lightning tragedy: youth goes home https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lightning-trag/157102611/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 14 October 2024 April 3 April – Prime minister Gough Whitlam launches a public appeal for the Australian Council for Overseas Aid to help raise money for refugees from Vietnam and Indo-China, confirming the Australian Government would commit $50,000 to the cause.4 April 1975 Whitlam launches appeal: Govt gives $50,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-whitlam-launch/157168744/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 15 October 2024 The Federal Government also confirms around 500 orphans from Vietnam would soon arrive in Australia.4 April 1975 500 orphans coming here: PM starts appeal with $50,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-500-orphans-co/157168707/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 15 October 2024 A total of 226 families have already having been approved to adopt the orphans, with 270 adoptions applications in progress. 8 April – After 21 hours of bitter debate in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, a Bill to abolish the death penalty is passed 36:30, with 5 abstentions.English David 9 April 1975 Assembly abolishes hanging https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-assembly-abolishes-hanging/153954703/ The Age 1 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912020746/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-assembly-abolishes-hanging/153954703/ live To this end, Labor Council leader John Galbally had brought in 21 private members Bills in some 15 years. The abolition Bill must now pass the Legislative Council where lengthy debate and an even closer vote is expected. 11 April – Approximately 10,000 Water and Sewerage Employees Union members employed by the Sydney Water Board stop work and commence an indefinite strike as they demand a new industrial award conditions including a wage increase, permanency for employees after one year of service, free time for migrants to learn English and free work clothes after three months service.11 April 1975 Water men stop work https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-water-men-stop/157664261/ The Sydney Morning Herald 26 October 2024 Due to the strike, untreated sewage is permitted to flow into the sea from pumping stations at Cronulla, Malabar, Bondi and North Head.Wells Fred 12 April 2024 Untreated sewage enters sea https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-untreated-sewa/157664360/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 17 April – Senator Don Willesee announces the Australian Government will recognise the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia following the Fall of Phnom Penh when Cambodian Government troops surrender to the Khmer Rouge.Frykberg Ian 18 April 1975 Canberra accepts new regime https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-canberra-accep/157414672/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 October 2024 18 April – The residents of Darwin are given clearance to commence rebuilding their homes after the city was devastated by Cyclone Tracy with chairman of the Reconstruction Commission Tony Powell confirming the draft building code submitted to the interim commission under Leslie Thiess had been adopted by the Darwin Reconstruction Commission.19 April 1975 Darwin residents get rebuilding all-clear https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-darwin-residen/157414307/ The Sydney Morning Herald 19 October 2024 19 April – The PRG fails to provide information about the whereabouts or the state of health of ABC Radio producer Peter Whitlock who became trapped in Buôn Ma Thuột when it fell to communist forces during the Battle of Ban Me Thuot more than a month ago.Richardson Michael 21 April 1975 ABC man's fate still unknown https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-abc-mans-fate/157036756/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 13 October 2024 When asked about Whitlock at his weekly press conference, Colonel Vo Dong Giang stated: "I am not aware of the concrete factors, that is why I regret I cannot answer you in a concrete way." 23 April – The Victorian Legislative Council votes to abolish the Death penalty in a 20–13 vote.24 April 1975 Hanging is finished in Victoria https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-hanging-is-finished-in-victoria/153954770/ The Age 1, 3 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021248/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-hanging-is-finished-in-victoria/153954770/ live All 9 labor members in the legislative council, 11 liberal members voted in favor. 7 liberals and all 6 Country voted against. 2020-04-22 From the Archives, 1975: Victoria abolishes hanging https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/from-the-archives-1975-victoria-abolishes-hanging-20200417-p54ktz.html 2024-08-21 The Age en 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030236/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/from-the-archives-1975-victoria-abolishes-hanging-20200417-p54ktz.html live Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips arrive in Australia to commence a two-week royal tour of the country, beginning in Sydney and then continuing in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.24 April 1975 Princess begins her visit; Sydney arrival in rain https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-princess-begin/157541059/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 21 October 202425 April 1975 Royal couple in SA https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-royal-couple-i/157541086/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 21 October 20242 May 1975 Royal pair see cyclone damage https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-royal-pair-see/157464248/ The Sydney Morning Herald 21 October 20243 May 1975 Royal tour of WA https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-royal-tour-of/157540990/ The Sydney Morning Herald 5 21 October 20247 May 1975 Busy day in Perth for Royal couple https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-busy-day-in-pe/157541027/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 21 October 2024 Prime minister Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret leave Australia on a chartered Qantas Boeing 707 for an 18-day overseas trip which will include scheduled meetings with leaders in Peru, attending the 1975 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica and meeting with United States president Gerald Ford in Washington, D.C.24 April 1975 Whitlams leave on 18-day trip https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-whitlams-leave/170844439/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 22 April 2025 24 April – Minister for Overseas Trade Frank Crean and Minister for Agriculture Senator Ken Wriedt announce that the Japanese Government has advised Australia that in June, Japan will re-open imports of Australian beef and veal which have been banned since an embargo took effect in early 1974.25 April 1975 Japan takes meat https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-japan-takes-me/170844559/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1-2 22 April 2025 25 April – The 60th anniversary of the Landing at Anzac Cove is commemorated at Anzac Day services around Australia.26 April 1975 Back straight, medals shine for 60th Anzac anniversary https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-backs-straight/157541110/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1, 6 21 October 2024Lewis John 26 April 1975 Muted people greet those old soldiers https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-muted-people-greet-those-old-sol/157541181/ The Age 4 21 October 2024March,ceremony draws thousands https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116344299/12743526 The Canberra Times 1 21 October 2024 The Australian Embassy in South Vietnam is closed and staff evacuated prior to the Fall of Saigon.26 April 1975 Australia out, airlift stops https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australia-out/153954820/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 August 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021249/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australia-out/153954820/ live May 1 May – Following an 11-day trial, 41-year-old Alwyn Theodore Kleinig is sentenced in the Central Criminal Court to life imprisonment for the murder of Francis David Pye who died when the main homestead on Pye's property was destroyed by fire at Collie near Gilgandra, New South Wales on 18 April 1973.2 May 1975 Life term for killer of Gilgandra grazier https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-life-term-for/157664737/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 2 May – James Ryan O'Neill is charged in Tasmania's Bellerive Court with murdering 9-year-old Ricky John Smith in February 1975 and then murdering 9-year-old Bruce Colin Wilson in April 1975.3 May 1975 Boys dead: charges laid https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-boys-dead-cha/157461982/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 October 2024 O'Neill pleads not guilty to murdering the boys.10 May 1975 Two murder charges denied https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-two-murder-cha/157462309/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 20 October 2024 However, at a trial in November 1975, O'Neill is tried and convicted of Smith's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.King Barry October 2014 Record of investigation into death https://www.coronerscourt.wa.gov.au/_files/Taylor%20(James)%20finding.pdf Coroners Court of Western Australia 15–22 20 October 2024 Despite being charged with Wilson's murder which he purportedly confessed to in a police interview, he was not tried due to a prosecution policy in Tasmania stipulating that persons charged with multiple murders could only be tried on one of the charges. Qantas announces it has doubled the size of no smoking areas on its aircraft, so that one-third of all seats will be designated no-smoking zones.3 May 1975 Curb on smokers https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-curb-on-smoker/157841774/ The Sydney Morning Herald 5 26 October 2024 4 May – Several people are injured during a violent clash between pro-Palestinian supporters and pro-Israel supporters outside the Australian Union of Students headquarters in Melbourne.Allin John 5 May 1975 Violent clash at Arab protest https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-violent-clash-at-arab-protest/157540772/ The Age 1 21 October 20245 May 1975 Man bitten on leg in Melbourne https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-bitten-on/157540779/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 21 October 20249 May 1975 Sticks, stones in attack https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/262509678/29353075 The Australian Jewish News 2 21 October 2024 5 May – After the local council struggles to find an effective way to remove thousands of starlings which are roosting in the city of Wagga Wagga, a group of men consisting of local police officers and gun club members commence several days of an RSPCA-approved mass shooting of the birds.2 May 1975 Wagga declares war on starlings https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-wagga-declares/157540402/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 21 October 20244 May 1975 Posse ready for shoot-out https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-posse-ready-fo/157540487/ The Sun-Herald 2 21 October 2024 Approximately 150 birds are killed on the first day of shooting, while around another 600 are killed during the second day.6 May 1975 Wagga's starlings still rule roost https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-waggas-starli/157540514/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 21 October 20247 May 1975 600 tally in starling shoot https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-600-tally-in-s/157540579/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 21 October 2024Aiton Douglas 6 May 1975 Wagga starlings beat a royal flush but today the guns should call their bluff https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wagga-starlings-beat-a-royal-flu/157540467/ The Age 1 21 October 2024 8 May – New South Wales police minister John Waddy announces a new scheme in which police officers at school crossings are replaced by dedicated lollypop men and women had been approved following a successful three-month trial.9 May 1975 Lollipop men will guard school crossings; Police released to other duties https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lollipop-men-w/157604166/ The Sydney Morning Herald 22 October 2024 Approximately 70 police officer are to re-deployed to other duties while Waddy says he expects the crossing supervisors to mainly consist of pensioners and housewives. The lollypop men and women will be paid $30 each week. 9 May – All 17 crew members are rescued from the cargo ship "Tropic Queen" after it sinks north-west of Port Hedland, Western Australia.11 May 1975 Captain's son hero after freighter sinks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-captains-son/157665283/ The Sun-Herald 2 26 October 2024 10 May – A three-year-old girl is raped and murdered in her own bedroom the Brisbane suburb of Cribb Island.11 May 1975 Baby murdered in her bedroom https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-baby-murdered/157665336/ The Sun-Herald 26 October 2024 30-year-old Robert Douglas Skilton is convicted of her murder and sentenced on 3 October 1975 to life imprisonment.13 May 1975 Man remanded on charge of murder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-man-remanded-on-charge-of-murder/157665395/ The Age 4 26 October 202426 June 1975 Murder charge https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110643756 The Canberra Times 3 23 October 20244 October 1975 Guilty https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110661259 The Canberra Times 26 October 2024 In 1988, he was assessed as not being suitable for parole.Ryan Terry 5 December 2019 Findings of Inquest: Inquest into the death of Robert Douglas Skilton https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/635372/cif-skilton-rd-20191205.pdf Coroners Court of Queensland 23 October 2024 He died of natural causes at the Wolston Correctional Centre on 28 April 2018. 12 May – After a protracted period of industrial action and negotiations lasting 32 days, a meeting is held involving all parties concerned where striking Sydney Water Board employees vote overwhelmingly to end their 32-day strike.21 April 2024 Talks fail to resolve Water Board dispute https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-talks-fail-to/157664441/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 202424 April 1975 Deregistration move: Govt urged to act in Water Board dispute https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-deregistration/157664557/ The Sydney Morning Herald 11 26 October 20246 May 1975 Government moves on strike: Union will recommend Water Board's men return https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-government-mov/157664841/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 23 October 2024Wells Fred 13 May 1975 Water men vote to end 32-day strike https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-water-men-vote/157665066/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 26 October 2024 Melbourne's new ABC public access radio station 3ZZ goes to air for the first time.8 May 1975 Sounds of former homelands https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-sounds-of-former-homelands/158762630/ The Age 25 10 November 202415 May 1975 Access brings "radio revolution" https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-access-brings-radio-revolution/158762654/ The Age 21 10 November 2024 13 May – The Federal Opposition attempts to censure prime minister Gough Whitlam for allegedly misleading parliament for comments he made in a statement on 9 April.14 May 1975 Censure bid flimsy, says PM: Messages to Vietnam defended https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-censure-bid-fl/157666384/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 The censure motion is defeated in the House of Representatives 69–63. In the senate, a censure motion against Foreign Affairs minister Senator Don Willesee was defeated after the vote was tied 28-all, with Liberal Movement leader Steele Hall and independent senator Cleaver Bunton voting with the government. A 61-year-old train driver and a 38-year-old railways inspector are killed when the Northern Tablelands Express collides with a semi-trailer carrying 290 sheep on a level crossing near Gunnedah, New South Wales.14 May 1975 Two killed as train, truck collide https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-two-killed-as/157666263/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 23 October 2024 Four passengers aboard the train also suffer minor injuries but the 34-year-old truck driver and his two young children were unhurt. Around 50 sheep were also killed. 15 May – Ray McPharlin announces the Country Party of Western Australia has withdrawn from the coalition government it had formed with Western Australian Liberal Party due a series of policy differences on rural issues, forcing premier Charles Court to govern with a minority government.16 May 1975 Country Party pulls out of Govt in WA https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-country-party/157666583/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 A 49-year-old Sydney former newsagent is convicted by a jury on six charges of selling obscene and indecent publications.16 May 1975 Former newsagent weeps in court https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-former-newsage/157666628/ The Sydney Morning Herald 23 October 2024 He had pleaded not guilty to selling copies of Bitch and Venus to two vice squad detectives on 29 March 1974.15 May 1975 Shop man denies obscene literature https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-shop-man-denie/157666821/ The Sydney Morning Herald 8 23 October 2024 He is fined a total of $500.17 May 1975 $500 fine for selling obscene magazines https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-500-fine-for/157666839/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 23 October 2024 18 May – Following the Country Party of Western Australia's split from the coalition government, the leader and deputy leader of the party Ray McPharlin and Matt Stephens both resign and are succeeded by Dick Old and Peter Jones respectively.19 May 1975 CP leaders resign afters split in WA https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-cp-leaders-res/157727993/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 19 May – Despite being transported to Hobart from Sydney, it's confirmed that the 62-year-old ferry Lady Ferguson will need to be scrapped after being found to have a rotten timber hull.20 May 1975 Ferry to be scrapped https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ferry-to-be-sc/157728063/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 Parts from Lady Ferguson will be salvaged and used in another former Sydney ferry, Kosciusko. 20 May – The loans affair continues with the Executive Council revoking the approval it had given on 28 January for a US$2,000 million overseas loan.Jost John Davidson Kenneth 22 May 1975 Connor's $2000m 'vanishes' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-connors-2000m-vanishes/155053257/ The Age 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021351/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-connors-2000m-vanishes/155053257/ liveClarke Anthony Cole-Adams Peter Jost John Thomas Tony 23 May 1975 I gave loan letter: Connor https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-i-gave-loan-letter-connor/155053045/ The Age 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021251/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-i-gave-loan-letter-connor/155053045/ live Henceforth, all negotiations are to be conducted through the Treasury.Frykberg Ian 29 May 1975 PM rebukes Treasury https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-rebukes-tre/155052885/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021352/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-rebukes-tre/155052885/ live 29 May – A taxi driver who refused to carry a cigarette smoking passenger faces a Brisbane magistrate charged with a summons complaint of breaching a section of Queensland Transport's regulations in his refusal to carry the passenger.30 May 1975 Case against no smoking taxi driver dismissed https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-case-against-n/157841454/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 26 October 2024Cunningham James 31 May 2024 Taxi smoking a matter of freedom, says cabbie https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-taxi-smoking-a/157841544/ The Sydney Morning Herald 26 October 2024 After pleading not guilty, and evidence presented by health experts, the magistrate dismisses the charge, and orders the complainant to pay $150 in costs. 30 May – Western Australian premier Charles Court announces that the Country Party has reformed the coalition government with the Western Australian Liberal Party.31 May 1975 WA's political rift patched: CP back in coalition https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-was-political/157840688/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 2024 June 2 June – After a six-day trial, 37-year-old Bowral labourer Kenneth William Johnston is found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 13-year-old Bowral High School student Michelle Tracy Allport at Mittagong on 1 November 1974.4 November 1974 Girl, 13, found murdered https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-girl-13-foun/157845928/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 October 20243 June 1975 Man given life for killing girl https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-given-life/157844818/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 26 October 2024 Despite being eligible for parole from November 1993, the State Parole Authority declines to release Johnston to parole and he remains in the Long Bay Correctional Centre until his death at the age of 79 on 29 October 2017.Russell Paula 15 November 2018 Inquest into the death of Kenneth Johnstone https://coroners.nsw.gov.au/documents/findings/2018/Kenneth%20JOHNSTONE%20Findings%20(2).pdf Coroners Court of New South Wales 26 October 2024 5 June – Lance Barnard's resignation to become Ambassador to Sweden leads to a reorganisation of the Federal Ministry.Bowers Peter 6 June 1975 13 in Cabinet shake-up https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-13-in-cabinet/155054198/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021252/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-13-in-cabinet/155054198/ live Social Security Minister Bill Hayden (Ipswich) replaces Jim Cairns as Treasurer, and Cameron is demoted from the Labour and Immigration Ministry to Science and Consumer Affairs (amid his own and union protests). 9 June – Sydney's first ethnic radio station 2EA goes to air for the first time, with the station's transmissions commencing with an address by Al Grassby who speaks in Greek.5 June 1975 Debut for ethnic radio https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-debut-for-ethn/158762412/ The Sydney Morning Herald 9 10 November 202410 June 1975 Ethnic radio takes to the air https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ethnic-radio-t/158762429/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 10 November 2024 11 June – Australian officials confirm Tamworth medical practitioner Dr Douglas Hill, who was in Ethiopia working as a doctor for the Society of International Missionaries to help famine victims was stabbed to death by a tribesman on 4 June.12 June 1975 Australian doctor in Ethiopia stabbed to death https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-doc/157977609/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 28 October 2024 15 June – The South Australian Australian Labor Party conference gives Prime Minister Gough Whitlam a mixed reception. The Australian Workers' Union, in particular, is offended by his recent demotion of Clyde Cameron, for decades a leading figure in South Australia's Labor and Industrial Affairs.Frykberg Ian 16 June 1975 PM's new bid for trains and hospitals https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pms-new-bid-f/155054492/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 Half a dozen members of the South Australian branch of the Australian Workers' Union boycotted his speech... 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021434/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pms-new-bid-f/155054492/ live 20 June – A 38-year-old shearing contractor who had been arrested on a charge of drunkenness is burnt to death in a fire in a police cell in Charleville, Queensland.21 June 1975 Prisoner dies in cell fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-prisoner-dies/158761870/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 10 November 2024 The police officer on night duty attempts to rescue the man but is forced back by the flames. Four other prisoners in adjoining cells are rescued. 27 June – Former Balmain Tigers rugby league player Kevin Yow Yeh dies in a police cell in Mackay, Queensland.29 June 1975 Footballer dead in Qld police cell https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-footballer-dea/155054724/ The Sun-Herald 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024526/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-footballer-dea/155054724/ live 28 June – 12-year-old Terry Floyd disappears and is believed to have been abducted as he hitchhiked on Victoria's Pyrenees Highway between Maryborough and Avoca after playing in a local football match.4 July 1975 Boy missing https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-boy-missing/161292149/ The Age 3 22 December 202411 July 1975 Abduction fear on missing boy, 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-abduction-fear-on-missing-boy-1/161292254/ The Age 11 22 December 2024Judd Bridget 16 January 2017 Missing boy's family edge closer to answers, 40 years after his disappearance https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-16/missing-boys-family-edge-closer-to-answers/8185686 ABC News 22 December 2024D'Agostino Emma 19 February 2023 Search for missing 12yo Terry Floyd last seen in Avoca in 1975 awarded $35,000 by Victorian government https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-19/search-for-missing-terry-floyd-awarded-35000-by-vic-government/101995962 ABC News 22 December 2024 The 1975 Bass by-election is held.Anderson Chris Bowers Peter 29 June 1975 Bass debacle: Labor rout https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-bass-debacle/155054687/ The Sun-Herald 1, 24 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-bass-debacle/155054687/ live Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam campaign against each other for the first time as leaders. A swing of about 16% against the Australian Labor Party gives the seat to the Liberal candidate Kevin Newman, and the Opposition sees this as the green light for its strategy of forcing a second premature election.Dunn Alan Gratton Michelle 30 June 1975 Bass disaster stuns Labor https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bass-disaster-stuns-labor/155055538/ The Age 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bass-disaster-stuns-labor/155055538/ live 30 June – Queensland Senator Bert Milliner dies, leaving a Senate vacancy.Frykberg Ian 1 July 1975 Qld premier keeps open options on new senator https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-premier-ke/155055800/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 The filling of this vacancy and the controversy surrounding it becomes one of the key events of the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis. July 1 July – 19-year-old American woman Julie Garciacelay, living in Australia and employed as a library assistant at Southdown Press, disappears in Melbourne.O'Halloran Terry 8 July 1975 Girl disappears, clothes slashed https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-girl-disappears-clothes-slashed/161292086/ The Age 3 22 December 2024Goldie Peter 9 July 1975 Father puzzles over missing girl https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-father-puzzles-over-missing-girl/161292102/ The Age 3 22 December 2024ezramagazine 2025-01-01 Julie Garciacelay - Their Name Is https://ezramagazine.com/juliegarciacelay/ 2025-01-01 Ezra Magazine en-US As of 2024, the case remains unsolved with Victoria Police reopening the case in 2003.15 October 2003 Police reopen case, 28 years on https://www.theage.com.au/national/police-reopen-case-28-years-on-20031015-gdwjo7.html The Age 22 December 2024Bucci Nino 1 July 2015 Another twist in the Julie Ann Garciacelay cold case, 40 years after she disappeared https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/another-twist-in-the-julie-ann-garciacelay-cold-case-40-years-after-she-disappeared-20150701-gi2c5i.html The Age 22 December 2024Vivian Steve 18 October 2024 Renewed hope to solve 1975 Julie Garciacelay cold case following Easey Street breakthroughs https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-18/julie-garciacelay-cold-case-renewed-hope-easey-street/104471484 ABC News 22 December 2024 Medibank is introduced, Australia Post and Telecom are formed from the Postmaster-General's Department.1 July 1975 Medibank gets underway https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-medibank-gets/155056468/ The Sydney Morning Herald 8 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021808/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-medibank-gets/155056468/ live1 July 1975 From July 1 for Postal Services look to Australia Post https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-from-july-1-fo/155056651/ The Sydney Morning Herald 8 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021846/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-from-july-1-fo/155056651/ live1 July 1975 From July 1 your telecommunication services will be provided by Telecom Australia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-from-july-1-y/155056619/ The Sydney Morning Herald 9 11 September 2024 2 July – Prime Minister Gough Whitlam has Jim Cairns' commission as Environment Minister terminated for misleading Parliament.Jost John Hills Ben 3 July 2024 Whitlam sacks Cairns https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-whitlam-sacks-cairns/155057044/ The Age 1, 3–5 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021847/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-whitlam-sacks-cairns/155057044/ live Cairns had denied having written a secret letter to a loans broker in March, but a signed letter was produced in June. Approximately 100 University of Sydney students break into the office of vice-chancellor Bruce Williams to participate in a three-hour occupation, during which time they drank his alcoholic beverages and wore his academic robes.3 July 1975 Sit-in students drink the Vice-Chancellor's beer: Occupation ends after Act read https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sit-in-student/162829953/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 January 2025 3 July – A school bus carrying 39 children collides with a cement truck in the Melbourne suburb of Thornbuy, near Thornbury High School.4 July 1975 41 people injured in smash https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-41-people-inju/162831228/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 January 2025Arkley Lindsey 4 July 1975 Girl's dream of crash came true... https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-girls-dream-of-crash-came-true/161292160/ The Age 5 12 January 2025 4 July – Sydney newspaper publisher Juanita Nielsen disappears from her Kings Cross home where she published attacks on inner-city development.9 July 1975 Mark Foys heiress: abduction feared https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mark-foys-heiress-abduction-fea/155057317/ The Sydney Morning Herald 14 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912021933/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mark-foys-heiress-abduction-fea/155057317/ live Edward Trigg and Shayne Martin-Simmonds are later found guilty of conspiring to abduct her.15 February 1981 Neilsen case: call for report https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nielsen-case/155057952/ The Sydney Morning Herald 27 11 September 2024 Last week, a former Kings Cross barman Shayne Martin-Simmons, 34, was jailed for two years for conspiring to abduct Mrs Neilsen in mid-1975. 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022313/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nielsen-case/155057952/ liveMacken Deidre 2 February 1983 Man's conviction ends another chapter in the case of the missing heiress https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mans-conviction-ends-another-ch/155058155/ The Age 5 11 September 2024 Edward Frederick Trigg, 42... pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to abduct the newspaper editor and heiress. 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022332/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mans-conviction-ends-another-ch/155058155/ live In 2021, New South Police announce a $1 million reward for anyone who provides information relating to Neilsen's suspected murder.Malone Ursula 21 June 2021 NSW Police announce $1 million reward for information about Juanita Nielsen's suspected murder https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-21/nsw-offers-million-dollar-reward-over-juanita-nielsen-killing/100230004 ABC News 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024521/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-21/nsw-offers-million-dollar-reward-over-juanita-nielsen-killing/100230004 live 6 July – Two men are killed and 14 others injured when a tour bus crashed down the side of Alpine Way at Dead Horse Gap near Thredbo.7 July 1975 Two killed in Alps bus smash https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-two-killed-in/164052728/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 27 January 20258 July 1975 Nurses heroines of Snowy bus crash: Two dead, 14 injured https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nurses-heroine/164052640/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 27 January 2025 The bus was chartered for a 14-day trip to the Snowy Mountains. Two 19-year-old nurses who were on the bus are credited with raising the alarm and tending to the injured, with one running four kilometres to the Thredbo Chalet to seek help. Senator Michael Townley is uninjured when the aircraft he was piloting crashed after it failed to take off at Grovedale, Victoria. His two passengers are also uninjured.7 July 1975 Plane crash for senator https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-plane-crash-es/162836709/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 January 2025 7 July – Historical documents from 1881 and a collection of coins minted in 1881 are discovered by Sydney City Council workers upon removing the foundation block of the Queen Victoria statue in Queen's Square.8 July 1975 Queen Victoria's secret hoard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-queen-victoria/162847793/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 27 January 2025 The artefacts were placed under the statue when Prince Edward (later King Edward VII) laid the foundation stone at its original location at Hyde Park, Sydney on 2 August 1881.3 August 1881 Queen Victoria's statue https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-queen-victorias-sta/164049676/ The Daily Telegraph 3 27 January 2025 The statue moved to Queen's Square in 1908, when additional documents were added to the original 1881 items. 12 July – The 1975 South Australian state election is held, which is narrowly won by the incumbent Labor Party government led by premier Don Dunstan narrowly defeating the Liberal Party led by opposition leader Bruce Eastick.Anderson Chris 13 July 1975 Close struggle in Dunstan poll https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-close-struggle/160458156/ The Sun-Herald 1–2 7 December 2024Colebatch Tim 14 July 1975 Dunstan relies on independent https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-dunstan-relies-on-independent/160458178/ The Age 1 7 December 2024 23 July – Staff at the ABC's 2JJ intentionally take the station off the air for two hours due to a stop work meeting with staff protesting over the Australian Broadcasting Control Board's allocation of a relatively weak transmission for the station, with listeners in large areas of Sydney receiving poor reception.24 July 1975 2JJ men stop the rock for two hours https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-2jj-men-stop-t/160582641/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 December 2024 25 July – Following the party's defeat at the state election, David Tonkin successfully contests the leadership of the South Australian Liberal Party, defeating Bruce Eastick.26 July 1975 New leader for Liberals in SA https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-new-leader-for/160458112/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 7 December 2024 26 July – A car bomb explodes outside Football Park in the Adelaide suburb of West Lakes, killing 43-year-old Billy Shuttleworth.27 July 1975 Man killed by bomb planted in parked car https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-killed-by/160445825/ The Sun-Herald 4 7 December 2024 31-year-old Roger Michael O'Sullivan and 25-year-old George Valentine Mackie are both charged with Shuttleworth's murder.28 July 1975 Bomb death: two held https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-bomb-death-tw/160447727/ The Sydney Morning Herald 11 7 December 2024 They are both sentenced on 31 October 1975 to death after a Supreme Court jury find them both guilty of having murdered Shuttleworth.1 November 1975 Death sentence for bomb men https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-death-sentence-for-bomb-men/160446001/ The Age 3 7 December 2024 The sentences were commuted to life imprisonment under government policy at the time. Both men unsuccessfully appealed their convictions.6 December 1975 Appeals lost https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-appeals-lost/160447462/ The Age 3 7 December 2024 28 July – It's confirmed Australian political advisor Eric Joseph Wright, a mentor to Papuan separatist Josephine Abaijah has been ordered to leave Papua New Guinea by foreign relations minister Albert Maori Kiki.Boyce Patrick 29 July 1975 PNG deports Australian succession adviser https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-png-deports-au/160457991/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 7 December 2024 29 July – After a two-hour hearing, the South Australian Parole Board grants convicted murderer Rupert Max Stuart parole. Stuart was sentenced to be hanged in 1959 for the murder of 9 year-old Mary Olive Hattam at Thevenard on 21 December 1958 but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment following the Royal Commission in regard to Rupert Max Stuart.30 July 1975 Rupert Stuart Max free again https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-rupert-max-stu/160443756/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 7 December 2024 During a television interview, president of the ACTU and the ALP, Bob Hawke pledges to give up drinking if he is successful in entering Federal Parliament and becomes the leader of the Australian Labor Party.Bowers Peter 30 July 1975 Hawke to sign the pledge if he enters Parliament https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hawke-to-sign/160441859/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 7 December 2024 A Sydney restaurant proprietor was fined $20 after being charged under the Dog Act for refusing to permit a man onto his premises while accompanied by a guide dog on 28 April 1975. The restaurant proprietor, who failed to appear in court, was also ordered to pay $80 in professional fees and $20 for witness expenses as well as $6 in court costs.30 July 1975 Restaurant man fined over ban on guide dog https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-restaurant-man/160442235/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 7 December 2024 August 1 August – The body of missing 18-year-old Brisbane woman Catherine Pamela Graham is found beside the Flinders Highway at Oak Valley 24 kilometres south of Townsville.2 August 1975 Body of girl beside highway https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-body-of-girl-b/164185227/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 29 January 2025 As of 2025, Graham's murder remains unsolved with police reopening the case in 2009 and offering a $250,000 reward in 2019 for information.Cornish Murray 29 July 2009 Police reopen 1975 murder case https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-07-29/police-reopen-1975-murder-case/1370262 ABC News 29 January 2025McCormack Madura 4 September 2019 $250k reward, new push to solve teen's murder mystery https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/crime-court/250k-reward-new-push-to-solve-teens-murder-mystery/news-story/a4e16a7685d301209eeeffb12dbb4ce2 Townsville Bulletin 29 January 2025 Minister for Northern Australia Rex Patterson says he feels complaints about the behaviour of those aboard the Patris were exaggerated after an impromptu meeting with some of the ship's residents.2 August 1975 Patis a living hell, say residents https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-patris-a-livin/164186700/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 29 January 2025 The ship is anchored in Darwin Harbour and being used for emergency accommodation following Cyclone Tracy.Kastelloriou Stergos 14 June 2017 Remembering the 'Patris': the iconic ship that brought thousands of Greeks to Australia https://www.sbs.com.au/language/greek/en/article/remembering-the-patris-the-iconic-ship-that-brought-thousands-of-greeks-to-australia/96vpknxqd SBS Greek 29 January 2025 Some of those on board wrote to senior politicians and complained of drunkenness, attempted suicides, filthy conditions, offensive behaviour, violence and blocked plumbing. Despite Patterson's comments, an investigation into conditions aboard is ordered. 2 August – The ALP national executive votes to expel Tasmanian Trades & Labor Council secretary Brian Harradine from the Australian Labor Party.3 August 1975 Harradine out of Labor Party https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-harradine-out/164187990/ The Sun-Herald 29 January 2025 3 August - Federal minister for transport Charles Jones announces that Qantas chairman Sir Donald Anderson is retiring due to ill health, but would remain on the Qantas board as a part-time director.4 August 1975 Chairman of Qantas retires, ill https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-chairman-of-qa/164207240/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 29 January 2025 Vice-chairman of Qantas Robert Law-Smith is appointed acting chairman. 4 August – Three years after a prototype aircraft visited Australia, a $46 million Concorde aircraft piloted by Brian Trubshaw arrives at Melbourne Airport for a week-long schedule of endurance flights between Singapore and Australia.Downes Stephen 5 August 1975 Concorde, swoops in like great white swan https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-concorde-swoops-in-like-great-w/164207772/ The Age 3 29 January 2025 The Concorde's arrival coincides with the release of a 56-page draft document examining the environmental impact of its Australian operations. Vice-chairman of British Aircraft Corporation's commercial aircraft division Sir Geoffrey Tuttle also provides assurances that there would be no attempt to sell the Concorde to Qantas. A pilot and his two passengers are killed when the five-seater twin-engine Cessna they were aboard crashes just after takeoff at Karratha Airport.5 August 1975 Plane crash kills three https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-plane-crash-ki/158763082/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 10 November 2024 An Australian woman and her three children are taken hostage by the Japanese Red Army in the 1975 AIA building hostage crisis in Kuala Lumpur, along with 46 others including the woman's American husband.Richardson Michael 5 August 1975 Four Australians among 50 held by gunmen https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-four-australia/158763886/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 10 November 2024Richardson Michael 8 August 1975 Mother tells of 38-hour ordeal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mother-tells-o/158764095/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1, 9 10 November 2024 8 August – A 25-member surgical team led by paediatric surgeon Peter Jones commence a three-hour operation to separate conjoined twins Yew Sun Foo and Yew Tsar Foo at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.10 August 1975 Siamese twins parted - and survive https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-siamese-twins/164209186/ The Sun-Herald 3 29 January 2025 The operation concludes in the early hours of 9 August and is a success.11 August 2025 Twins on the improve, say doctors https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-twins-on-the-improve-say-doctor/164209287/ The Age 1, 3 29 January 202513 August 1975 Parents say thanks with names of twins https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-parents-say-thanks-with-names-of/164209264/ The Age 1 29 January 2025 The condition of the twins gradually improves and they are discharged from hospital on 9 September 1975.18 August 1975 It was mother's intuition, says Mrs Foo https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-it-was-womans-intuition-says-m/164209256/ The Age 3 29 January 20259 September 1975 Twins leave hospital with the promise of normal lives https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-twins-leave-hospital-with-the-pr/164209308/ The Age 3 29 January 2025 11 August – An English deckhand is sentenced to six year's jail for raping a 28-year-old Queensland woman on the P&O ocean liner Oronsay on 14 March 1975 while it was berthed in Pyrmont.12 August 1975 Deckhand who raped woman on liner jailed https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-deckhand-who-r/164952882/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 8 February 2025 Lord Mayor of Sydney, Nicholas Shehadie announces he will not be standing for re-election.12 August 1975 Sydney's Lord Mayor to quit https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sydneys-lord/164952079/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 8 February 2025 A new mayor will be formally elected at a special council meeting on 26 September 1975 but Shehadie says he will see out the remainder of his term as alderman which expires in two years. 13 August – The Anglican Commission of Inquiry into the Ocult recommends the Trade Practices Act be invoked to prevent the sale of ouija boards and tarot cards at toy shops and newsagencies.Gill Alan 13 August 1975 Curb ouija board sale, says Church https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-curb-ouija-boa/164953835/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 8 February 2025 ...will be released at a press conference at St Andrew's Cathedral today. 25 August – Six prisoners escape through the roof of a high security building at Morisset Hospital near Newcastle, New South Wales by scaling the walls using a ladder from a carpenter's truck.26 August 1975 Dogs used in hunt for six escaped prisoners https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-dogs-used-in-h/169899602/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 April 2025 Police warn local residents to stay indoors while they searched the area for the prisoners, which include two convicted murderers and a convicted rapist. All prisoners are recaptured on 26 August.27 August 1975 All six asylym fugitives captured https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-all-six-asylum/169900745/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 April 2025 26 August – Federal minister for Defence Bill Morrison confirms in Federal Parliament that the Whitlam Government has decided to abolish the Cadets Corp at the end of the year - a decision which is widely criticised by parents, headmasters and the RSL.27 August 1975 Some schools plan to keep cadet training - Government's ruling brings protests https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-some-schools-p/169901815/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 April 2025 However, Morrison states it is an expensive scheme costing the Australian Army $9 million each year. South Australian Minister for the Environment Glen Broomhill informs premier Don Dunstan he intends to resign from Cabinet in September citing personal and family reasons.27 August 1975 Minister to resign https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-minister-to-re/169901482/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 April 2025 27 August – A 25-year-old New Zealand woman, employed as a tally clerk at Australian Iron & Steel's slab yard at Port Kembla, is crushed to death when she is pinned between two large steel slabs.28 August 1975 Woman, 25, crushed to death https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-woman-25-cru/169902776/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 April 2025 28 August – Attorney-General Kep Enderby announces Justice Elizabeth Evatt's appointment as the first Chief Judge of the Family Court of Australia.29 August 1975 Justice Elizabeth Evatt to head Family Court https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-justice-elizab/169904345/ The Sydney Morning Herald 9 April 2025 31 August – Five children from two families are killed when the vehicle they were in plunges into the Molonglo River in Canberra.1 September 1975 5 children drowned in river https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-5-children-dro/169912299/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 April 2025 An official welcome by prime minister Gough Whitlam to 700 delegates at the Women and Politics Conference at Parliament House in Canberra is disrupted by approximately 50 Aboriginal women who chant slogans alleging racism in the "white feminist movement."1 September 2025 Women's talks begin in uproar https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-womens-talks/169912327/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 April 2025 September 3 September – Convention is breached when the Queensland Parliament rejects Australian Labor Party nominee Mal Colston to replace the deceased Senator Bert Milliner, choosing instead Pat Field (automatically expelled for having nominated against the endorsed candidate).4 September 1975 Qld picks union man for Senate: ALP nominee out https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-picks-unio/155058965/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022349/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-picks-unio/155058965/ live During the Women and Politics conference in Canberra, a member of the Darwin Women's Electoral Lobby alleges that police officers from southern states had raped local women during the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy.4 September 1974 Police raped women, says delegate https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-police-raped-d/170058873/ The Sydney Morning Herald 8 11 April 2025 NSW police minister John Waddy rejects the allegations describing them as "a scurrilous attack on a great body of men."5 September 1975 Alleged rape by police in Darwin denied https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-alleged-rape-b/170058494/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 11 April 2025 4 September – An RAAF Caribou aircraft with Red Cross insignia is hijacked in Portuguese Timor by a group of armed men who forced the crew to fly 48 refugees to Darwin.5 September 1975 RAAF plane seized: Crew forced to fly 48 from Timor to Darwin https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-raaf-plane-sei/170058383/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 April 2025 Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and acting Attorney-General Jim McClelland strongly defend the appointment of Gail Wilenski, the wife of public servant Peter Wilenski, to the Public Service Board's new equal opportunities section.5 September 1975 Mrs Wilenski best for the job - PM https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mrs-wilenski-b/170058518/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 11 April 2025 5 September – Approximately 150 women march on the offices of The Canberra Times and occupy the editorial office of the newspaper demanding an opportunity to respond to a controversial editorial which was published on 2 September 1975.6 September 1975 Women demonstrators march on newspaper; Insults, abuse at 'sexist' editorial https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-women-demonstr/170059200/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 11 April 2025 Some of the women shouted abuse at acting editor John Farquharson while standing on desks, chairs and filing cabinets.6 September 1975 Women delegates occupy newspaper office https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110657107/12746227 The Canberra Times 1 11 April 2025 6 September – A total of 46 people are injured in two separate bus crashes in New South Wales.7 September 1975 Two buses crash off road: 46 injured https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-two-buses-cras/170060663/ The Sun-Herald 3 11 April 2025 In the first incident, nine people were injured when a bus was involved in a six-vehicle pile up on the Pacific Highway at Peats Ridge. In the second incident, a tourist bus plunged down an embankment while travelling on the Great Western Highway near Hartley with all 37 people on board sustaining injuries. 16 September – Papua New Guinea gains its independence from Australia.Boyce Patrick 17 September 1975 PM makes aid pledge to PNG https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-makes-aid-p/155059113/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-makes-aid-p/155059113/ live As HMAS Stalwart fires a 101-gun salute across Port Moresby Harbour, Papua New Guinea governor-general Sir John Guise makes the declaration in a radio address at 12:01am that Papua New Guinea is now an independent nation, ending 90 years of colonial rule under British, German and Australian administrations.Boyce Patrick 16 September 1975 New nation breaks with past https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-new-nation-bre/170131441/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 April 2025 20 September – Thirteen miners are killed in an underground coal mine explosion at the Kianga coal mine near Moura, Queensland.21 September 1975 Mine blast - 13 dead in Queensland fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mine-blast-1/155059277/ The Sun-Herald 1, 4 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022434/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mine-blast-1/155059277/ live22 September 1975 Blast like nuclear fireball - no hope seen for 13 miners https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-blast-like-nuc/155059373/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022322/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-blast-like-nuc/155059373/ live 26 September – In a surprise announcement, prime minister Gough Whitlam announces he has appointed Justice Edward Woodward will be the new director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisaation, replacing Peter Barbour who will become Consul-General of Australia in New York from October 1975.Frykberg Ian 27 September 1975 ASIO head replaced: Judge moves in; Barbour goes to New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-asio-head-repl/170681943/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1,19 20 April 2025 October 1 October – Senator Albert Field (now an Independent) is granted a month's leave of absence while his eligibility to take his seat is tested in the High Court of Australia, sitting as a Court of Disputed Returns.2 October 1975 Field takes leave to await court challenges https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-field-takes-le/155061046/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022449/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-field-takes-le/155061046/ live There has been doubting as to whether he resigned in the correct way from the Public Service at the time he was appointed. Despite having pleaded not guilty, a 12-man jury finds 15-year-old Kevin Ernest Burgess guilty of murdering his 57-year-old grandmother, Betty Jones, at her home in the Sydney suburb of Cartwright on 28 March 1975.29 March 1975 Woman killed with hammer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-woman-killed-w/170690528/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 20252 October 1975 Boy, 15, guilty of hammer murder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-boy-15-guilt/170637360/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 19 April 2025 The boy is subsequently sentenced to 12 year's jail with a non-parole period of five years.15 October 1975 Boy, 15, jailed for hammer killing https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-boy-15-jaile/170689833/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 20 April 2025 A 32-year-old army parachutist is killed when his parachute fails to deploy and plunges approximately 3,000 metres to his death near Williamtown RAAF base.2 October 1975 Parachutist in death fall https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-parachutist-in/170637215/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 April 2025 2 October – Elizabeth Reid resigns as prime minister Gough Whitlam's special adviser on women's affairs and as the convenor of the Australian National Advisory Committee for International Women's Year.Frykberg Ian 3 October 1975 Elizabeth Reid quits as PM's advisor https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-elizabeth-reid/170637419/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1,9 19 April 2025 3 October – A 12-year-old boy is rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after being shot in the head at Balmain High School.4 October 1975 Schoolboy shot in head https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-schoolboy-shot/170637652/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 2025 However, there are no suspicious circumstances. A 41-year-old man is killed when he falls to his death while working on a construction site at the Newcastle Steelworks.4 October 1975 Man falls to death https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-falls-to-d/170679668/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 20 April 2025 After a five-day hunger strike in Sydney's Martin Plaza, Hungarian man Ion Nicoara packs away his belongings after the Romanian consulate confirms they would support Nicoara's efforts to bring his son Stefan to Australia.Sykes Jill 4 October 1975 Romanian father's ordeal is over https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-romanian-fathe/170637740/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 2025 4 October – Two 46-year-old men are killed when their boat sank off Kurnell when their 7-metre yacht is swamped and capsizes, while the sole survivor spends seven hours in the water before reaching the shore near the Kurnell Refinery.5 October 1975 Two perish as yacht sinks; 7-hour swim to safety https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-two-perish-as/170680337/ The Sun-Herald 1,14 20 April 2025 Forty passengers are evacuated from an eight-carriage train at Sydney's Caringbah railway station and trains between Cronulla and Gymea diverted when a 35-year-old woman discovers what appears to be a bomb under a seat. Two soldiers and a scientific squad detective confirms there is no danger from the device which consists of six pieces of wood, cut to look like sticks of gelignite, wrapped in paper and connected to a battery and gauge mounted on a 12-inch square board.Henderson Mike 5 October 2025 Panic on train from dummy bomb https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-panic-on-train/170680689/ The Sun-Herald 2 20 April 2025 Following an administrative shake-up, prime minister Gough Whitlam announces he has taken over personal responsibility for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, succeeding Kep Enderby.Anderson Chris 5 October 1975 Whitlam steps in on ASIO https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-whitlam-steps/170681614/ The Sun-Herald 3 20 April 2025 Minister for Science and Consumer Affairs Clyde Cameron confirms an agreement has been reached to end the inclusion of imperial measurements in real estate advertising after 1 January 1976, following lengthy discussions between the Metric Conversion Board, newspaper groups and the real estate industry.5 October 1975 Metric ads soon for home buying https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-metric-ads-soo/170682379/ The Sun-Herald 4 20 April 2025 5 October – Official figures are released for the month of September 1975 which indicate that for the first time since the Great Depression, unemployment figures rose to above 300,000 with over 304,000 Australians now out of work.Anderson Chris 5 October 1975 Unemployed in Australia now up to 304,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-unemployment-i/170681308/ The Sun-Herald 2 20 April 20256 October 1975 Workless position worsens https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-workless-posit/170682960/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 2025 A Melbourne man is killed when the Thorp T-18 aircraft he was piloting crashed into powerlines while on his way for a fly in to celebrate the opening of a new airstrip at Bungowannah in Victoria.6 October 1975 Pilot killed: plane hits power lines https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pilot-killed/170706140/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 2025 8 October – Prime Minister Gough Whitlam denies in Parliament that any of his senior ministers were still involved in trying to raise overseas loans in defiance of the 20 May revocation.Bowers Peter 9 October 1975 Connor denies new loan claim https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-connor-denies/155061154/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1–2 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912022337/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-connor-denies/155061154/ live Press reports based on information from the loan intermediary, Tirath Khemlani, suggest that Rex Connor is still involved. 10 October – The High Court of Australia upholds the validity of the territorial Senators legislation.Gratton Michelle 11 October 1975 Victory for Government https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-victory-for-government/155061312/ The Age 1–2 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-victory-for-government/155061312/ live In any half-Senate election, four senators, plus replacements for Bunton and Field, would take their places in the Senate at once, thus giving Labor the chance to win back control there. 15 October – At a Brisbane Chamber of Commerce annual luncheon, Queensland Governor Sir Colin Hannah associates himself with the criticism of the Federal Government.16 October 1975 Queensland Governor backs move for election https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-queensland-gov/155061414/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-queensland-gov/155061414/ live In the ensuing row, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam persuades Queen Elizabeth II to revoke Hannah's dormant commission to act as Governor-General.Frykberg Ian 27 October 1975 Qld Governor stripped of power to act in Canberra https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-governor-s/155061569/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-governor-s/155061569/ live 16 October – The Balibo Five are killed by Indonesian troops in Portuguese Timor.18 October 1975 Newsmen missing in Timor - Willesee is worried for safety of five https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-newsmen-missing-in-timor-wille/155062100/ The Age 3 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023844/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-newsmen-missing-in-timor-wille/155062100/ liveMcDonald Hamish 13 November 1975 Death of Australian journalist confirmed by Indonesia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-death-of-austr/155062005/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023916/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-death-of-austr/155062005/ live 28 October – Senator Don Willesee confirms the ABC's Peter Whitlock will be flown out of Hanoi later in the week, after receiving information from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that a number of foreigners who had been detained by the North Vietnamese would be on the flight.29 October 1975 ABC man to be flown out of Hanoi this week https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-abc-man-to-be/157038792/ The Sydney Morning Herald 15 13 October 2024 30 October – After being held captive by the Viet Cong for nearly eight months, the ABC's Peter Whitlock is freed by North Vietnam and flown to Thailand with 13 others.31 October 1975 Hanoi frees ABC man https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hanoi-frees-ab/157036836/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 13 October 2024 31 October – A 39-year-old woman kills her son (aged 2) and two daughters (aged 4 and 11) and attempts to kill another son (aged 6) before killing herself in a murder-suicide in the Sydney suburb of Gymea.1 November 1975 Woman, 3 children shot https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-woman-3-child/182570230/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 8 October 20258 January 1976 Coroner finds woman killed her children https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-coroner-finds/182570284/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 8 October 2025 1 to 31 October – Averaged over Victoria, this stands as the wettest month since at least 1900 with a statewide average rainfall of 154.53 mm in 2 or.Australian Bureau of Meteorology; All Months Rainfall Sorted — Victoria https://web.archive.org/web/20190624060635/http://www.bom.gov.au/web01/ncc/www/cli_chg/timeseries/rain/allmonths/vic/latestsort.txt 24 June 2019 November 2 November – After being held captive by the Viet Cong for nearly eight months, the ABC's Peter Whitlock arrives back in Australia.3 November 1975 The captive catches up https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-the-captive-catches-up/157036667/ The Age 2 13 October 2024 Upon his arrival, he criticises some reporting that suggested he was on a spying or political mission when he was captured, stating: "I'm bitterly disappointed about it. Apart from everything else it could have harmed my professional standing with my colleagues. If anyone had the right to question my credentials, it was the North Vietnamese and they never once suggested that I was involved in anything sinister." Four-year-old Peggy Clements is abducted from a car in Cobar, New South Wales prompting a widespread search.5 November 1975 Girl, 4, abducted from car in Cobar https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-girl-4-abduc/182622017/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 9 October 20257 November 1975 50 help in hunt for Cobar girl https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-50-help-in-hun/182622040/ The Sydney Morning Herald 9 9 October 20258 November 1975 Pit search for girl, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pit-search-for/182622075/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 October 2025 Investigating officers travel to Western Australia where they find the girl on a property near Marble Bar in January 1976.21 January 1976 Reunion at airport for missing child https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-reunion-at-air/182620387/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 9 October 202523 January 1976 How Peggy, golliwog held close, came back home https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-how-peggy-gol/182622253/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 October 2025 Kenneth Charles Stuart is charged and is found guilty by a jury in May 1976 of kidnapping, indecent assault and causing bodily harm. He is sentenced to a total of 14 years jail with a non-parole period of six years.20 January 1976 Man held in WA in hunt for girl, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-held-in-wa/182622110/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 October 202524 January 1976 Peggy: Man charged https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-peggy-man-cha/182622163/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 October 202526 May 1976 14 years' jail for man in kidnapping case https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-14-years-jail/182623080/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 9 October 2025 3 November – Lady Catherine Shaw, the 62-year-old wife of ambassador of Australia to the United States, Sir Patrick Shaw sustains a broken nose, a broken wrist and cuts when she attacked and robbed while walking near their home in Washington D.C.5 November 1975 Wife of Australian envoy attacked https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-wife-of-austra/182626564/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 9 October 2025 Following his wife's assault, Patrick Shaw condemned the judicial approach to people convicted of violent crime in the United States stating: "There seems to be very little deterrent... people who get picked up for this sort of crime get off with little more than a slap on the wrist."6 November 1975 Australian envoy on US crime: Attackers get 'little more than a slap on wrist' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-env/182626204/ The Sydney Morning Herald 11 9 October 2025 Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said he was "shocked" and "embarrassed" by the incident which is being investigated by the Executive Protection Service, police and the FBI. 11 November – The 1975 Australian constitutional crisis culminates with Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissing the Whitlam government.Frykberg Ian 12 November 1975 Election in December: Whitlam sacked, Fraser new PM in day of turmoil https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-election-in-de/155062671/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1–10 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024012/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-election-in-de/155062671/ liveJost John Mitchell Neil 12 November 1975 Kerr sacks PM https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kerr-sacks-pm/155062257/ The Age 1–9 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023847/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kerr-sacks-pm/155062257/ live Malcolm Fraser is installed as caretaker Prime Minister. 19 November – Underworld figure Billy "The Texan" Longley is found guilty of murdering union secretary Pat Shannon on 17 October 1973 and sentenced to life imprisonment.20 November 1975 Life sentence for Longley https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-life-sentence-for-longley/155902174/ The Age 1 24 September 2024Silvester John 28 March 1975 Melbourne underworld figure Billy 'The Texan' Longley dies https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-underworld-figure-billy-the-texan-longley-dies-20140328-35nu8.html The Age https://web.archive.org/web/20191217152403/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-underworld-figure-billy-the-texan-longley-dies-20140328-35nu8.html 17 December 2019 24 September 2024 Two staff members of the Queensland Premier's department are injured when they open a letter-bomb addressed to Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.20 November 1975 Security net tightened: Letter bombs grave concern for politicians' safety https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-security-net-t/155063304/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023847/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-security-net-t/155063304/ live December 6 December – The 1975 Wagga Wagga state by-election is held which is won by Joe Schipp, who succeeds Wal Fife whose resignation triggered the by-election.Anderson Chris 7 December 1975 Liberals win Wagga despite Labor swing https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-liberals-win-w/182624194/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 9 October 2025 8 December – 4ZZZ independent community radio station launches in Brisbane under its original callsign 4ZZ-FM.Sinnamon Myles 5 December 2015 Brisbane radio station 4ZZZ's 40th anniversary https://www.anzacsquare.qld.gov.au/stories/brisbane-radio-station-4zzz-40th-anniversary Anzac Square 11 September 2024 On December 8, 1975, Brisbane community FM radio station 4ZZZ first went to air (under their original callsign 4ZZ-FM). 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030249/https://www.anzacsquare.qld.gov.au/stories/brisbane-radio-station-4zzz-40th-anniversary live 9 December – New South Wales Country Party Leader Sir Charles Cutler retires and Deputy Leader Leon Punch replaces him with Tim Bruxner as his deputy.O'Hara John 10 December 1975 NSW Country Party picks its new leader https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nsw-country-pa/155070551/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nsw-country-pa/155070551/ live 13 December – The 1975 Australian federal election is held. After a bitter campaign in which Labor tried to keep constitutional matters to the fore and the Coalition concentrated on inflation, unemployment and Labor's errors in office, the Fraser Government is confirmed in power, securing 54% of the vote, 91 of the 127 House seats, and 35 Senate seats.Anderson Chris O'Reilly Neil 14 December 2024 Triumph for Libs! Fraser wins in landslide https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-triumph-for-li/155070592/ The Sun-Herald 1, 2, 14, 15 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024353/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-triumph-for-li/155070592/ live The Victorian Government forms a committee to examine some of the recommendations from the Beach Board of Inquiry. 25 December – The Savoy Hotel fire occurs in which fifteen persons are killed in an arson attack at the Savoy Hotel in Kings Cross, New South Wales.26 December 2024 14 die in hotel holocaust https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-14-die-in-hote/155070745/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024354/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-14-die-in-hote/155070745/ live27 December 1975 Protest at delay to fire rules https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-protest-at-del/155070785/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024355/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-protest-at-del/155070785/ live Science and technology 17 October – John Cornforth shares the Nobel Prize for Chemistry18 October 1975 Australian shares Nobel https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-sha/155071405/ The Sydney Morning Herald 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024355/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-sha/155071405/ liveBerryman Nancy 19 October 1975 Nobel winner 'pushed' into chemistry https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nobel-winner/155071412/ The Sun-Herald 41 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024356/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nobel-winner/155071412/ live Arts, entertainment and literature 1975 in Australian literature January 17 January – Sam Fullbrook is announced as the winner of the 1974 Archibald Prize for his portrait of jockey Norman Stephens.18 January 1975 Brisbane artist takes the Archibald Prize https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-brisbane-artis/155119677/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024357/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-brisbane-artis/155119677/ live 26 January – The third Australasian Country Music Awards are held in Tamworth.27 January 1975 'Disappointment' won best musical award https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-disappointmen/158046494/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 29 October 2024 Joy McKean wins a golden guitar award for Best Australasian-recorded composition for "The Biggest Disappointment". Her husband Slim Dusty wins golden guitars for Best Australasian Country Music LP album for Australiana and for Best Male Vocal for "The Biggest Disappointment". Jean Stafford wins for Best Female Vocal for "What Kind Of Girl Do You Think I Am?" while Johnny Chester's "My Kind of Woman" is recognised with the award for Top Selling Australasian Country Music Track. March 6 March – American actress Bette Davis arrives in Australia for An Informal Evening with Bette Davis which commences at the Sydney Opera House on 9 March before taking the show to Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.7 March 1975 It's business, not nostalgia for Bette https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-its-business/157039344/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 13 October 2024 19 March – American journalist and anchor of CBS Evening News, Walter Cronkite arrives in Australia as a guest of IBM to deliver lectures about developments in politics and economics, and to meet informally with prime minister Gough Whitlam.20 March 1975 US to keep out of Vietnam: Cronkite https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116339031 The Canberra Times 9 13 October 2024Cunningham James 20 March 1975 No substitute for papers, says Cronkite https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-no-substitute/156976405/ The Sydney Morning Herald 13 October 2024 Popular American family music group The Osmonds arrive in Australia for a series of concerts in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.20 March 1975 Screams greet Osmonds https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-screams-greet/156976533/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 13 October 2024 20 March – The New South Wales state minister for culture, sport and recreation John Barraclough condemns the federal government for allowing rock musician Alice Cooper into Australia.21 March 1975 Alice Cooper 'not cultural show' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-alice-cooper/156977067/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 13 October 2024 Barraclough says Cooper's performances cannot be justified as "cultural" and describes the system of issuing entry permits into the country as needing an urgent overhaul. 24 March – Sponsored by Festival of Light Australia, American singer Pat Boone and his family arrive in Australia for a series of performances in major cities, including five performances at the Sydney Opera House, while also making special appearances at Christian rallies and open air services.Gill Alan 13 October 2024 Pop music's Mr Clean flies in for festival https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pop-musics-mr/157039680/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 13 October 2024 April 22 April – Ronald McKie is announced as the winner of the 1974 Miles Franklin Award for his novel The Mango Tree.23 April 1975 Fiction novice wins top prize https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fiction-novice/155120116/ The Sydney Morning Herald 9 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fiction-novice/155120116/ live May 17 May – Internationally renowned ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev arrives in Australia for a tour with the London Festival Ballet, for which he will produce and star in The Sleeping Beauty.Cizzio Joe 18 May 1975 'Give up a pint to see the ballet' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-give-up-a-pin/157727949/ The Sun-Herald 2 26 October 2024 July 2 July – Gary Glitter arrives in Australia to attend a show by his group The Glitter Band at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, but says he does not intend to sing himself due to a scheduled recording session in New York.3 July 1975 Gary Glitter's recipe for economic malaise https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-gary-glitters/162826645/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 12 January 2025 10 July – American comedian Bill Cosby arrives in Australia for a 10-day national tour and to host a celebrity tennis tournament for the Heart Foundation at Rushcutters Bay.11 July 1975 Politics from a garbage can https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-politics-from/164053817/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 27 January 2025 13 July – Lou Reed arrives in Australia for a national concert tour, which begins with a hostile press conference at Sydney Airport.14 July 1975 Lou Reed fails to sing for the press https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lou-reed-fails/164054318/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 27 January 2025 21 July – For the third time, Sister Mary Brady wins the Portia Geach Memorial Award, having previously won the award in 1966 and 1971.22 July 1975 Picture wins nun her third award https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-picture-wins-n/164184106/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 29 January 2025 This year's win is for a portrait of her friend Elizabeth Rooney. American entertainer Danny Kaye arrives in Australia and prepares to conduct the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at a concert at the Sydney Opera House.Cunningham James 22 July 1975 The perennial Mr Kaye sees a changing Sydney https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-perennial/164183664/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 29 January 2025 24 July – Despite pleading not guilty to having deposited litter in a public place, artist Ivan Durrant is fine $100 in the Melbourne City Court after dumping a dead cow on the forecourt at the National Gallery of Victoria, telling the court he had done so to enlighten people about killing.24 July 1975 $100 fine for dumping a dead cow https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-100-fine-for-dumping-a-dead-cow/160582189/ The Age 10 9 December 2024 Durrant was also ordered to pay $157 in costs. August 26 August – The Bay City Rollers arrive in Sydney for a promotional tour of Australia. However, the group avoided fans who had waited for them to appear at the airport by exiting through a private entrance to be driven directly to their hotel.27 August 1975 Fans miss Rollers https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fans-miss-roll/169901013/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 April 2025 September September – Xavier Herbert's novel Poor Fellow My Country is released.Kepert L V 14 September 1975 New books: Xavier Herbert's blockbuster, a cry for Australia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-new-books-xav/170687399/ The Sydney Morning Herald 110 20 April 2025 In April 1976, the book is announced as the winner of the 1975 Miles Franklin Award.28 April 1976 Top award to Xavier Herbert, 74 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-top-award-to-x/155118523/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024902/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-top-award-to-x/155118523/ live 4 September – British jazz musician Acker Bilk arrives in Australia to commence his fourth Australian tour.5 September 1975 Acker Bilk here for tour https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-acker-bilk-her/170058956/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 11 April 2025 October 3 October – Australian composer Malcolm Williamson is appointed Master of the Queen's Musick, succeeding Sir Arthur Bliss who died on 27 March 1975.4 October 1975 Australian is Master of Queen's Musick https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-is/170637551/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 2025 6 October – For the first time since the second world war, a woman reads the news on ABC Radio when Margaret Throsby presents the 7pm and 10pm news bulletin on Sydney's 2BL.7 October 1975 Here is the news - read by a woman https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-here-is-the-ne/170684023/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 20 April 2025 American opera singer Anna Moffo arrives in Australia to perform in a varied program of operatic arias in Sydney between 12 October to 17 October.Sykes Jill 7 October 1975 Only 30 seconds and many years ago: Singer can't shake off that appearance https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-only-30-second/170684433/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 20 April 2025 She holds a press conference where she discusses her controversial nude scenes in the 1969 film Una Storia d'Amore. American country singer John Denver arrives in Australia for three scheduled concerts at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion but refuses to speak to waiting media.7 October 1975 Singer without a song https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-singer-without/170684687/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 20 April 2025 10 October – After the ABC's standing committee on spoken English receives two letters from prime minister Gough Whitlam urging ABC announcers to pronounce the word kilometre as ki-lom-etre, the committee rules against Whitlam and confirms announcers should be pronouncing the word as kil-ometre.11 October 1975 ABC overrules PM: It says KIL-ometre https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-abc-overrules/170707240/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 20 April 2025 The chairman of the committee, professor of linguistics at Macquarie University Arthur Delbridge confirms kil-ometre had been favoured due to its consistency with other metric terms such as centimetre and millimetre. November 21 November – Thea Astley wins The Age Book of the Year Award for her novel A Kindness Cup.Baker Mark 22 November 1975 Novelist gets a $3000 surprise https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-novelist-gets-a-3000-surprise/170770504/ The Age 2 21 April 2025 1976 23 January 1976 – John Bloomfield is announced as the winner of the 1975 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Tim Burstall.Sykes Jill 24 January 1976 Big day at the Art Gallery https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-big-day-at-the/155118225/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024938/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-big-day-at-the/155118225/ live However, the validity of Bloomfield's entry is questioned with Bloomfield admitting he had never met Burstall despite the conditions of the competition specifying subjects are required to have been painted from life.Sykes Jill 27 January 1976 The validity of art prize win is questioned https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-validity-o/155118328/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024900/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-validity-o/155118328/ live The board of trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales ultimately rescind the 1975 Archibald Prize from John Bloomfield, determining his entry did not comply with the conditions that the portrait be painted from life. The trustees subsequently choose Kevin Connor as the 1975 Archibald Prize for his portrait of The Hon Sir Frank Kitto, KBE.Sykes Jill 28 February 1976 Art prize switched https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-art-prize-swit/155117845/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024901/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-art-prize-swit/155117845/ live Film 23 March – Sunday Too Far Away is awarded Best Film at the 1974-75 Australian Film Awards.24 March 1975 Shearer feature gets good clip of 'Oscars' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-shearer-feature-gets-good-clip-o/156984391/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 12 October 2024 4 September – Petersen opens in London to positive reviews.5 September 1975 Film acclaimed in London https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-film-acclaimed/170058959/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 11 April 2025 October – Picnic at Hanging Rock, directed by Peter Weir, is released.23 October 1975 Haunting Australian film opens here tomorrow https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-haunting-austr/155120859/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025026/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-haunting-austr/155120859/ live Television 31 January – A special "Salute to Australia" edition of The Merv Griffin Show airs in the United States featuring Australian performers Helen Reddy, Peter Allen, Daphne Davis, Dita Cobb and The LeGarde Twins.Glascott Joseph 2 February 1975 Our men are awful - US TV outburst https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-our-men-are-a/155585398/ The Sun-Herald 13 October 2024 1 March – "Colour Day" arrives with the launch of full-time colour television broadcasting.Monks Sarah 2 March 2024 Colour Day - with spot of black news https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-colour-day-w/155071477/ The Sun-Herald 4 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912025015/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-colour-day-w/155071477/ live 3 March – During a live Cedal hair products commercial on The Graham Kennedy Show, Kennedy interrupts to make "a sound like a crow", prompting criticism by the Broadcasting Control Board about the "general vulgarity and poor taste" of the show.5 March 1975 Kennedy faces a total ban on TV https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kennedy-faces-a-total-ban-on-tv/155071564/ The Age 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024904/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kennedy-faces-a-total-ban-on-tv/155071564/ live 7 March – Ernie Sigley and Denise Drysdale from The Ernie Sigley Show both win Gold Logies at the Logie Awards of 1975 for being the most popular male and female personalities on Australian television.Byrne Jennifer 8 March 1975 Sigley makes it after one year in Melbourne TV https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-sigley-makes-it-after-one-year-i/155122415/ The Age 2 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030501/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-sigley-makes-it-after-one-year-i/155122415/ live 19 March – The Broadcasting Control Board rules that Graham Kennedy be restricted to pre-recorded television appearances only, and only those that are approved by a station executive, prompting Kennedy to threaten legal action.Basile Vincent 19 March 1975 Kennedy: I'll sue over live TV ban https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kennedy-ill-sue-over-live-tv-b/155071691/ The Age 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024905/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kennedy-ill-sue-over-live-tv-b/155071691/ live 24 March – Wollongong mayor Frank Arkell demands an apology from the ABC over a comedy special entitled Wollongong the Brave which aired on ABC TV and included a sketch depicting migrants on leashes undergoing "assimilation training."25 March 1975 Storm over ABC program https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-storm-over-abc/156978028/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 12 October 2024 Arkell claims the producers of the program displayed a "contemptuous arrogance in dealing with Wollongong." 17 April – After remarks in which he was critical of federal minister for the media Doug McClelland were edited out of his pre-recorded program, Graham Kennedy resigns from Channel 9.Aiton Douglas 18 April 1975 $½m down, but Kennedy glad it's over https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-m-down-but-kennedy-glad-its/155071762/ The Age 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024906/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-m-down-but-kennedy-glad-its/155071762/ live 2 July – The Australian Broadcasting Control Board announces that from February 1976, Australian television networks will be required to air an additional 30 hours of new Australian drama content each week under new revisions in the television points system.3 July 1975 TV stations told to increase their local drama content https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-tv-stations-to/162828815/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 12 January 2025 3 October – Brisbane television journalists indicate they intend to lodge a complaint with the Australian Journalists Association regarding the conduct of prime minister Gough Whitlam's chief speech writer Graham Freudenberg during their attempts to interview Whitlam upon his visit to Brisbane to launch a book about T J Ryan, written by Denis Murphy.4 October 1975 PM's men clash with 'pathetic' reporters https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pms-men-clash/170637539/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 19 April 2025 Sport January 30 January – Western Australia wins the 1974–75 Sheffield Shield season finishing at the top of the table ahead of Queensland by five points.McFarline Peter 11 March 1975 WA by five points https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wa-by-five-points/155391379/ The Age 28 16 September 2024 February 2 February – A $100,000 "winner takes all" tennis match between Australia's Rod Laver and the United States' Jimmy Connors is held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, refereed by Pancho Gonzales. Connors wins 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.Smith Red 4 February 1975 Jim's power k.o's Rod https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-jims-power-kos-rod/170757521/ The Age 21 21 April 2025 March 15 March – The Tommy Smith-trained Toy Show ridden by Kevin Langby wins the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.Lillye Bert 16 March 1975 Toy Show beats all handicaps https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-toy-show-beats/170707787/ The Sun-Herald 32 20 April 2025 16 March – Australia is represented by twelve long-distance runners (eight men, four women) at the third IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Rabat, Morocco. Bill Scott is Australia's best finisher, claiming the 22nd spot (36:28.0) in the race over 12 kilometres. 31 March – Jean-Louis Ravelomanantsoa wins the Stawell Gift.Knox Ken 1 April 1975 'Rav' revs to triumph https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-rav-revs-to-triumph/170708132/ The Age 24 20 April 2025 April 9 April – The British Boxing Board of Control warns Tony Mundine that he could be stripped of his Commonwealth middleweight title unless he agrees within nine days to fight Carlos Marks.10 April 1975 Mundine ordered to fight https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mundine-ordere/170758203/ The Sydney Morning Herald 21 21 April 2025 14 April – After a lengthy professional career which included winning the Australian Women's Amateur championship in 1957, golfer Burtta Cheney announces her retirement from the sport.McMahon Peg 15 April 1975 Pennant golf will miss Burtta Cheney https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-pennant-golf-will-miss-burtta-ch/170758950/ The Age 32 22 April 2025 May 11 May – Czechoslovakia defeats Australia 3–0 in the 1975 Federation Cup held in Aix-en-Provence, France.13 May 1975 Martina powers Czechs to cup https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-martina-powers-czechs-to-cup/155391181/ The Age 26 16 September 2024 12 May – After discovering Australia's oldest living gold medalist, 77-year-old Mina Wylie could not afford to travel to the United States for her induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a rushed fundraising effort is launched by New South Wales politician Neil Pickard who pledged $100 of his own money before donations from Lady Violet Braddon (widow of Sir Henry Braddon) and Sir Peter Abeles were also received.13 May 1975 Ex-Olympic star racing against time https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ex-olympic-sta/157664968/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 23 October 2024 Enough money was eventually raised to enable Wylie to travel to the United States.15 May 2024 Former swim star off to Hall of Fame https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-former-swim-st/157666494/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 23 October 2024 June 1 June – Australia defeat New Zealand 36-8 in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup match played at Brisbane's Lang Park.Clarkson Alan 2 June 1975 Australia, League 'losers' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australia-lea/170751545/ The Sydney Morning Herald 16 21 April 2025 10 June – A Rugby League World Cup match is played at Lang Park in Brisbane where Wales defeat England 12-7.Pearce Col 11 June 1975 Wales pack 12-7 wallop https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-wales-pack-12/170751708/ The Sydney Morning Herald 13 21 April 2025 14 June – Australia defeat Wales 30-13 in the Rugby League World Cup match played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Clarkson Alan 15 June 1975 Australia push aside Welsh series bid https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australia-push/170751919/ The Sydney Morning Herald 40 21 April 2025 21 June - Australia defeat France 26-6 in the Rugby League World Cup match played at Brisbane's Lang Park.22 June 1975 Mixed game from Australian team https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mixed-game-fro/170752920/ The Sun-Herald 56 21 April 2025 July 4 July – Australian tennis player Evonne Cawley is defeated by Billie-Jean King 6-0, 6-1 in the women's singles at the 1975 Wimbledon Championships.5 July 1975 Evonne's day of shame: 6-1, 6-1 annihilation in just 41 minutes https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-evonnes-day-o/162832025/ The Sydney Morning Herald 57 12 January 2025 5 July – Upon hearing the full time siren, hundreds of children invade the Sydney Cricket Ground despite the rugby league match between Easts and Manly-Warringah not having concluded, forcing the referee, the touch judges, two police constables and the players to attempt to clear the playing area.Clarkson Alan 6 July 1975 Incredible Fairfax kicks a winner - a 40 metre field goal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-incredible-fai/162835114/ The Sun-Herald 55 12 January 2025 The risk of injury to the children prompts the NSW minister for sport John Barraclough to appeal to the Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust to ban children from running onto the field after matches.7 July 2025 New plan to keep children off field https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-new-plan-to-ke/162834651/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 12 January 2025 6 July – A Bell helicopter is used to dry out the water logged playing areas at Belmore Sports Ground and Leichhardt Oval in Sydney which allowed two scheduled New South Wales Rugby League games to go ahead.7 July 1975 Helicopter used to dry out football grounds https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-helicopter-use/162847370/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 January 2025 13 July – The Bill Cosby Pro-Celebrity Charity Tennis Event is held at White City Stadium at Rushcutters Bay to raise money for the National Heart Foundation of Australia. The event sees celebrities such as Bill Cosby, Barry Crocker, Don Lane, Bob Rogers, Mike Willesee, John Cootes, Jimmy Hannan and Tony Barber playing against professional tennis players such as Lesley Bowrey, Jan O'Neill and Mervyn Rose.14 July 1975 White City bemused by goings-on called tennis https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-white-city-bem/164054071/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 27 January 2025 August 9 August – John Farrington wins his fourth men's national marathon title, clocking 2:17:20 in Point Cook. 19 August – The final day of the Third Test between Australia and England at Headingly is abandoned due to vandalism to the wicket overnight allegedly carried out by supporters of George Davis.Monks T S 20 August 1975 Vandals dig up pitch, Test is abandoned https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-vandals-dig-up/158827174/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 11 November 2024 23 August: Glenelg kick the all-time record score for a major Australian football competition, kicking 49.23 (317) to Central District's 11.13 (79). Fred Phillis kicked eighteen goals and Peter Carey eight. Eastern Suburbs set a record NSWRL/ARL/NRL winning streak of their last nineteen home-and-away games before losing the major semi-final. 25 August – An Australian women's soccer team captained by Pat O'Connor are defeated by Thailand 3-2 in Hong Kong in a Group A match of the 1975 Asian Cup Ladies Football Tournament.2022 History of the AFC Women's Asian Cup: 1975 Hong Kong - 1st Asian Cup: Ladies Football Tournament Hong Kong https://assets.the-afc.com/AFC_Womens_Asian_Cup_2022/Downloads/AFC-Women%27s-Asian-Cup-History-Book.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20220113050518/https://assets.the-afc.com/AFC_Womens_Asian_Cup_2022/Downloads/AFC-Women%27s-Asian-Cup-History-Book.pdf 13 January 2022 Asian Football Confederation, International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES). FIFA Museum 25-32 21 April 2025 The Australian team are a representative team consisting mostly of players from suburban Sydney club St George-Budapest, but were not official international players until they were controversially recognised in 2024 as the first Matildas which prompts anger and disappointment from former Matildas who describe the decision as disrespectful to the women who were formally chosen to represent Australia from 1978 onwards.Lewis Samantha 1 July 2024 The 'First Matildas'? Football Australia rewrites history with official caps for 1975 team https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-01/first-matildas-football-australia-rewrites-history-1975/104042436 ABC News 21 April 2025Lewis Samantha 5 July 2024 'It's bull****': Matildas alumni criticise Football Australia's recognition of 1975 team https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-05/matildas-alumni-criticise-football-australia-1975-recognition/104056754 ABC News 21 April 2025 The decision to elevate the 1975 team to official status also results in Tarita Yvonne Peters (who played under the name Stacey Tracy) becoming the first women's Indigenous player to represent Australia, a title which was previously held by Karen Menzies.Lewis Samantha 24 November 2021 Meet Karen Menzies, Australia's first Indigenous Matilda https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-24/karen-menzies-first-indigenous-matilda/100642786 ABC News 21 April 20252 July 2024 ‘Farcical’: Matildas greats at war over shock call to hand ‘club side’ top Aussie honour https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/matildas/farcical-matildas-greats-at-war-over-shock-call-to-hand-club-side-top-aussie-honour/news-story/7170e61bfb6102cf64379487ebec1ff2 Fox Sports 21 April 2025 It also rewrites Karen Menzies’ place in history as Australia’s first Indigenous Matilda. That honour now belongs to Aunty Tarita Yvonne Peters. 29 August – Australia defeat Singapore 3-0 in Hong Kong in their second Group A match of the 1975 Asian Cup Ladies Football Tournament. 31 August – Western Australian jockey Raymond Oliver dies at Royal Perth Hospital from injuries sustained when five horses fell during a race at the Boulder Cup in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.1 September 1975 Jockey in fall dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-jockey-in-fall/169912506/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 9 April 2025 His son Damien Oliver is three years at the time of his father's death but subsequently has a successful career as a jockey which includes riding three Melbourne Cup winners.Manning Ernie 15 December 2023 Damien Oliver was destined for greatness from day one as he retires as Australia’s best https://thewest.com.au/sport/horse-racing/ernie-manning-damien-oliver-was-destined-for-greatness-from-day-one-as-he-retires-as-australias-best-c-12915134 The West Australian 9 April 2025 Australia are defeated by New Zealand 3-2 in a knock-out semi-final of the 1975 Asian Cup Ladies Football Tournament in Hong Kong. September 2 September – Australia defeat Malaysia 5-0 in the third place play-off of the 1975 Asian Cup Ladies Football Tournament in Hong Kong.3 September 1975 Australian soccer girls third https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-soc/170745088/ The Sydney Morning Herald 25 21 April 2025 20 September – Minor premiers Eastern Suburbs set a record NSWRL Grand Final winning margin, beating St. George 38 points to nil.Clarkson Alan 21 September 1975 This was just champion, Easts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-this-was-just/155508686/ The Sun-Herald 33, 50 18 September 2024 South Sydney finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon. 27 September – Australia defeat New Zealand 24-8 in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup match at Carlaw Park in Auckland.28 September 1975 Brass boys shine... and kill series https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-brass-boys-shi/170753388/ The Sun-Herald 68 21 April 2025 North Melbourne become the last of the then-extant VFL clubs to win a premiership, beating Hawthorn 19.8 (122) to 9.13 (67) in the 1975 VFL Grand Final.28 September 1975 Barassi boys notch Norths first ever https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-barassi-boys-n/155508499/ The Sun-Herald 71 18 September 2024 October 5 October – Peter Brock and co-driver Brian Sampson win the 1975 Hardie Ferodo 1000 in their Holden Torana SL/R 5000 L34.Christensen Phillip 6 October 1975 Hardie Ferodo win for Brock https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hardie-ferodo/170683676/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1, 3, 21 20 April 2025 The fourth annual Spastic Centre charity match is held at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney which sees Ian Chappell's XI defeat Tony Greig's XI.6 October 1975 Hawke strikes out for charity: 10,000 see him outdo galaxy of Test stars https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hawke-strikes/170683020/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1,8 20 April 2025 Union leader Bob Hawke top scores, making 39 runs before being bowled out by Max Walker. 18 October – Cyril Beechey-trained Analight, a 33-1 outsider ridden by Pat Trotter, wins the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield Racecourse.Lillye Bert 19 October 1975 Longshot's Cup: Analight's 33-1 harvest for books https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-longshots-cup/170707639/ The Sun-Herald 49 20 April 2025 19 October – Australia defeats Wales 18-6 in the Rugby League World Cup match at St Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea, during which Ian Schubert scores a hat-trick of tries.20 October 1975 Hat-trick Schubert stars: A brawling 18-6 win by Australia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hat-trick-schu/170753735/ The Sydney Morning Herald 23 21 April 2025 25 October – The Wally McEwan-trained Fury's Order, ridden by 17 year old apprentice jockey Brent Thomson wins the W. S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse in very wet conditions.Lillye Bert 26 October 1975 Fury's Order wins in wet - then races abandoned https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-furys-order-w/170707525/ The Sun-Herald 54 20 April 2025 26 October – Australia defeat France 41-2 in the Rugby League World Cup match played at Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan.27 October 1975 Australia lead France https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australia-lead/170754148/ The Sydney Morning Herald 15 21 April 2025 November 1 November – Australia are defeated by England 16-13 in the Rugby League World Cup match played at Central Park in Wigan.3 November 1975 Disputed try sinks Australia; not 'sour grapes' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-disputed-try-s/170754402/ The Sydney Morning Herald 23 21 April 2025 2 November – American golfer Jack Nicklaus wins his fourth Australian Open championship with a three-stroke victory, posting a last round par of 72 for a total of 279.Webster Jim 3 November 1975 Nicklaus walkover: Opposition wilts in dreary open https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-nicklaus-walko/170707938/ The Sydney Morning Herald 21 20 April 2025 4 November – The Bart Cummings-trained Think Big, ridden by Harry White, wins the Melbourne Cup.Bourke Tony 5 November 1975 Late start Tunku scores Cup first https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-late-start-tunku-scores-cup-firs/155072119/ The Age 1 11 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024906/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-late-start-tunku-scores-cup-firs/155072119/ live 12 November – Australia wins the 1975 Rugby League World Cup which concludes with a one-off challenge match between Australia and England at Headingley Rugby Stadium which Australia win, 25-0.14 November 1975 League tour has a lame ending https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-league-tour-ha/170755282/ The Sydney Morning Herald 19 21 April 2025 December 29 December – Rampage is declared the handicap winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race while Kialoa takes line honours.30 December 1975 WA yacht winner to Hobart https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-wa-yacht-winne/155507993/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 18 September 2024 Births 2 January – Chris Cheney, singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer 17 January – Rob Stokes, politician and lawyer 19 January – Natalie Cook, beach volleyball player 4 February – Natalie Imbruglia, singer and actor 7 March – Leon Dunne, swimmer 13 March – Matt Sing, rugby league player 19 March – Matthew Richardson, footballer and sportscaster 19 April – Jason Gillespie, cricketer 13 May – Nathan Green, golfer 21 May – Anthony Mundine, rugby league footballer and boxer 27 May – Michael Hussey, cricketer 7 June – Leigh Colbert, footballer 9 June – Andrew Symonds, cricketer 23 June Jane Jamieson, track and field athlete Markus Zusak, novelist 2 July – Daniel Kowalski, swimmer 4 July – Scott Major, actor and director 5 July – Kip Gamblin, actor 7 July – Michael Voss, Australian footballer and coach 17 July – Loretta Harrop, triathlete 7 August Megan Gale, model David Matthew Hicks, prisoner at Guantánamo Bay, convicted of "providing material support for terrorism" 12 August – Taryn Woods, water polo player 21 August – Simon Katich, cricketer 25 August – Petria Thomas, swimmer 1 September – Natalie Bassingthwaighte, singer and actor http://www.take40.com/artists/3779/natalie-bassingthwaighte/bio Natalie Bassingthwaighte – Biography Take 40 Australia MCM Entertainment 19 December 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120511105346/http://www.take40.com/artists/3779/natalie-bassingthwaighte/bio 11 May 2012 dmy-all 16 September – Shannon Noll, singer 18 September – Don Hany, actor 25 September – Scott Westcott, long-distance runner 28 September – Stuart Clark, cricketer 9 October – Mark Viduka, football (soccer) player 23 October – Phillip Gillespie, cricket umpire 31 October Carla Boyd, basketball player Jagan Hames, track and field athlete 18 December – SIA, Australian singer and songwriter Deaths January 20 January – Bernard O'Reilly, writer (b. 1903)Carter R. W. 1988 Alfonso Bernard O'Reilly (1903–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/oreilly-alfonso-bernard-7916 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 21 January – Sir Aubrey Lewis, psychiatrist (b. 1900) (died in London)Shepherd Michael 2000 Sir Aubrey Julian Lewis (1900–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lewis-sir-aubrey-julian-10823 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 February 12 February – Eric Strain, yachtsman (b. 1915)14 February 1975 Leading yachtsman Eric Strain dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-leading-yachts/170756193/ The Sydney Morning Herald 16 21 April 2025 14 February – Essie Ackland, singer (b. 1896)Moignard Kathy 1993 Essie Adele Ackland (1896–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ackland-essie-adele-9305 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 March 27 March – Arthur Denning, academic (b. 1901)King Hugh 1993 Arthur Denning (1901–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/denning-arthur-9949 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 April 10 April – Rudi Lemberg, biochemist (b. 1896)Bhathal B. 2000 Max Rudolf (Rudi) Lemberg (1896–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lemberg-max-rudolf-rudi-10811 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 12 April – Herbert Hake, cricketer and headmaster (b. 1894)Collins Persse Michael D. De B. 1996 Herbert Denys Hake (1894–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hake-herbert-denys-10391 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 22 April – Sir Archie Michaelis, politician (b. 1889)Levi J. S. 2000 Sir Archie Reuben Michaelis (1889–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/michaelis-sir-archie-reuben-11117 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 30 April – Aubrey Abbott, politician and administrator of the Northern Territory (b. 1886)https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/abbott-charles-lydiard-aubrey-9301 Abbott, Charles Lydiard Aubrey (1886–1975) Charles Lydiard Aubrey Abbott (1886–1975) National Centre of Biography, Australian National University 28 January 2023 28 January 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230128104719/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/abbott-charles-lydiard-aubrey-9301 live Mabel Brookes, humanitarian (b. 1890)1 May 1975 Dame Mabel Brookes dies, aged 84 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-dame-mabel-bro/157414841/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1, 10 19 October 2024 May 10 May – Patrick Perry, navy officer (b. 1903)Hyslop Robert 2000 Patrick Perry (1903–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/perry-patrick-11376 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 25 May – Dominic McCarthy, army officer and Victoria Cross recipientConnell W. H. 1986 Lawrence Dominic McCarthy (1892–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mccarthy-lawrence-dominic-7307 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 June 27 June – Kevin Yow Yeh, rugby league player (b. 1941) 30 June – Bert Milliner, Queensland politician (b. 1911) July 4 July – Juanita Nielsen, urban conservationist and newspaper publisher (b. 1937)Morris Richard 2000 Juanita Joan Nielsen (1937–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/nielsen-juanita-joan-11241 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 a coroner and jury of six declared that Nielsen had died 'on or shortly after 4 July 1975' 5 July – Dick Ellis, intelligence officer (b. 1895) (died in England)Cain Frank 1996 Charles Howard (Dick) Ellis (1895–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ellis-charles-howard-dick-10113 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 11 July – Desmonde Downing, set and costume designer (b. 1920)Chapman Christopher 1996 Desmonde Florence Downing (1920–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/downing-desmonde-florence-10044 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 18 July – Sir Hector Clayton, politician (b. 1885)19 July 1975 Sir Hector Clayton dies, 90 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sir-hector-cla/182630137/ The Sydney Morning Herald 24 9 October 2025 Gilbert Percy Whitley, ichthyologist (b. 1903)Murray Maree Roach John 2002 Gilbert Percy Whitley (1903-1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/whitley-gilbert-percy-12022 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 August 10 August – Neva Carr Glyn, actress (b. 1908)11 August 2025 'Grand old lady of Australian theatre' dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-grand-old-lad/164951382/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 8 February 2025 14 August – Percy Cerutty, athletics coach (b. 1895)15 August 1975 Ahead of his time https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ahead-of-his-time/155121513/ The Age 14 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030101/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ahead-of-his-time/155121513/ live September 27 September – Leslie Beavis, army officer (b. 1895)Tilbrook John D. 1993 Leslie Ellis Beavis (1895–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/beavis-leslie-ellis-9464 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 Maurice Fergusson, army officer (b. 1895)Hopley J. B. 1996 Maurice Alfred Fergusson (1895–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fergusson-maurice-alfred-10169 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 Jack Lang, 23rd Premier of New South Wales (b. 1876)28 September 1975 Ex-premier Jack Lang dies at 98 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ex-premier-jac/155121255/ The Sun-Herald 2 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030102/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ex-premier-jac/155121255/ live October 2 October – Clyde Cameron, politician (b. 1897)Cameron Clyde 1993 Cyril Chambers (1897–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/chambers-cyril-9721 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 11 October – Arthur Shakespeare, newspaper journalist and editor(b. 1897)Gibbney H. J. 1988 Arthur Thomas Shakespeare (1897–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/shakespeare-arthur-thomas-8525 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 November 3 November – Johnnie Wallace, rugby union player (b. 1900)Bodis J. P. 1990 Arthur Cooper (Johnny) Wallace (1900–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wallace-arthur-cooper-johnny-8960 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 5 November – George Warfe, army officer (b. 1912)Ryan Alan 2002 George Radford Warfe (1912–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/warfe-george-radford-11964 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 6 November – Annette Kellerman, swimmer, actress, and author (b. 1887)7 November 1975 Australian swim great dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-australian-swim-great-dies/155121384/ The Age 13 12 September 2024 12 September 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030103/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-australian-swim-great-dies/155121384/ live 22 November – Sir Kevin Ellis, politician (b. 1908)Gascoigne John 1996 Sir Kevin William Colin Ellis (1908–1975) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ellis-sir-kevin-william-colin-10115 Australian Dictionary of Biography 9 October 2025 27 November – Joan Stevenson Abbott, World War II army hospital matron (b. 1899)Joan Stevenson (Judy) Abbott (1899–1975) 30 November – Sir Donald Anderson, former Qantas chairman and Department of Civil Aviation director-general (b. 1917)1 December 1975 Sir Donald Anderson dies, 58 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-sir-donald-anderson-dies-58/164207488/ The Age 2 29 January 2025 December 27 December – Sir Patrick Shaw, diplomat (b. 1913)Hicks Ian 29 December 1975 Australian envoy Sir Patrick Shaw dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-australian-env/182627008/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1-2 9 October 2025 Bill Sheahan, politician (b. 1895)29 December 1976 Battling Billy Sheahan, longtime MP, dies at 80 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-battling-billy/182629995/ The Sydney Morning Herald 2 9 October 2025 See also 1975 in Australian television List of Australian films of 1975 References 1975 in yes Australia Category:Years of the 20th century in Australia